Since its inception, OAI has performed sponsored research, through its in-house research staff, to advance human knowledge and contribute to its customers’ missions. OAI researchers have achieved a track record of significant success and recognition. Representative achievements include numerous patents, published books and book chapters, numerous sole-, first-, and co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and in proceedings, chairmanships within international technical societies, and numerous conferences and sessions as well as two "R&D 100" awards.

OAI’s in-house research staff is organized into six Research Teams in the areas of Computational Modeling; Materials – Metallics and Composites; Materials – Polymers; Space Science and Exploration Technologies; Structures; and Turbomachinery and Propulsion Systems. OAI’s research staff represents a significant reservoir of intellectual capital resident at the Institute and at OAI’s customer sites. Approximately 70% of OAI’s researchers have earned Ph.D.’s and another 7% have MS degrees. Their areas of expertise include aerospace engineering, materials science, mechanical, mathematics, physics, and electrical, chemistry and chemical engineering, and other disciplines.

Expertise is available on both a full- and part-time basis and can be arranged for short-term and long-term activities. In addition, OAI can also engage faculty as consultants to provide additional expertise. OAI will also recruit individuals to fit specific needs.

For additional information, please contact Ann Heyward, OAI Vice President of Research and Educational Programs, at 440.962.3030 or AnnHeyward@oai.org.

The Computational Modeling Research Team's capabilities encompass the whole field of fluid dynamics modeling, and include several multi-disciplinary skills. Researchers are involved with the development of physical models for turbulence, transition to turbulence, chemical kinetics, the interaction between chemical kinetics and turbulence, detonation and acoustics. In the area of numerical modeling, their expertise includes the development of flow solvers, grid generation codes, visualization tools as well as techniques to efficiently implement physical models into a variety of different codes. In addition to modeling skills, there is a wealth of experience in the application of numerical modeling tools to the design and development process. Examples include simulations of pulse detonation engines, jet engine combustors and turbines, jet noise prediction and flow control. In addition, there is experience in coupling this work to finite element structures codes, as well as application of algorithms to the computational electromagnetic field.

The team supports activities at NASA Glenn Research Center and also supports the Air Vehicles Directorate Center for Excellence in Computational Modeling (AFRL/RBAC) in Dayton, Ohio.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Ann Heyward, Vice President - Research and Educational Programs at (440) 962-3030 or Mr. David Allen, Director of Business Development - Research and Educational Programs at (440) 962-3031.

The Materials-Metallics and Composites Research Team, led by Dr. Guillermo Bozzolo, has expertise in several areas of materials design, processing and characterization which have provided essential developments for aeropropulsion programs and could facilitate development and testing of novel materials and structural concepts for a wide range of current and future applications. Ranging from revolutionary, fundamental research to specific applications and development programs, these areas include: 1) computational materials modeling for atomistic analysis and design of new alloys (high temperature intermetallics, superalloys, shape memory alloys) and surface phenomena (surface alloys, thin films), including software development for PC-based alloy design at the atomic level; 2) processing methods for advanced metallic materials, including optimization of processing parameters for new copper-based alloys for the Next Generation Space Launch Technology program at NASA GRC; 3) microstructure/property relationships for ceramic matrix composites focusing on the constituent, architecture, and environment effects on the mechanical behavior of SiC/SiC composites and use of modal acoustic emission to characterize sources of local damage accumulation; 4) development and characterization of high-temperature alloys, including NiAl-base composites, foam sandwich structures for fan containment, ultralight high-temperature alloys and lightweight fan blade materials; 5) modeling in the nanoscale, introducing novel approaches for the formation of nanostructures (particles, wires, etc.); and 5) development of high-temperature alloys for specialized applications such as aircraft engines or structures, including process development and refinement coordinated with mechanical data collection to determine optimal combinations of processing and heat treatment for specific property requirements. Team efforts include smart materials for use in high-temperature environments and experimental and theoretical work on new alloys expected to withstand temperatures up to 500 °C while maintaining shape recovery and proper strength.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Guillermo H. Bozzolo, Research Team Leader, at 440.962.3103/Lab 216.444.5824 or Guillermo.H.Bozzolo@grc.nasa.gov.

High-performance materials include:

• Polymers for high-temperature polymer matrix composites, e.g., polyimide families, with higher temperature capabilities, improved hydrothermal and thermo-oxidative stability, and improved process ability for various processes including Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
• Specialty polymers including supramolecular materials, fluorescent molecules, photo-responsive smart materials with noble synthesis processes, ultra-high thermal conductivity nanocomposite sheet forms for electronic thermal management
• Nanocomposites or nanotechnology- based materials for both high and low temperature applications; the purification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes
• Polymer electrolyte materials for fuel cells, batteries, and ultra-sensitive sensors
• Reinforced aerogels such as low density nanocasted or cross-linked aerogels, polymer-silica aerogel composite materials for thermal and structural applications
• Light weight high-performance materials, e.g., controlled stiffness and high temperature capability, such as PMC-metal honeycomb sandwich structures; PMC-Carbon foam Heat Exchangers

Performance and durability evaluation include:

• In-service simulation testing, e.g., rapid heat-up thermal cycling, long-term thermal aging with a controlled environment, and accelerated aging
• Fundamental aging mechanisms, characterization of damage mechanisms, and structure-process-property relations in various scales ranging from nano material to structure level

• Space Power is involved with making solar cell devices in the OMVPE reactors, testing solar cells for arcing conditions in the Plasma Interactions Facility, and testing and designing electronics packages for space environments. There is also some limited capability in synthetic chemistry, quantum dot solar cells, and computer modeling.
• Space Propulsion focuses on advanced plasma propulsion concepts, such as high power ion thrusters, electrodeless plasma generation, and megawatt-level electromagnetic thrusters. This thruster research is also applied to mission and systems analysis of advanced NASA missions.
• Space Sciences deals with experimental investigations into fluid behavior in reduced gravity environments, such as in heat pipes or space power system fluid loops.
• Space Communications examines communications for aviation via both terrestrial and satellite segments at HF through Ku frequency bands, through extensive component- and system-level development and testing.

The Structures Research Team, led by Dr. Sreeramesh Kalluri, has a wide variety of skills in mechanics and durability assessment of structural materials, structural optimization, and adaptive seals technology/smart materials. Such a diverse expertise enables the team to provide high value design solutions to complex structural problems. The team members possess several years of experience in assessing the durability of high temperature structural materials (superalloys, intermetallics, composite materials, and coatings) used in aeronautical and space propulsion systems. The Research Team is involved in both experimentally characterizing and analytically estimating the deformation, fatigue, and fracture behaviors of these high temperature structural materials. Technical areas of competency in this category include: 1) development of testing methodologies for high temperature materials; 2) thermal and stress analyses of structural elements with finite element and boundary integral methods; 3) cyclic life estimation with fatigue crack initiation models and fracture mechanics; and, 4) failure analysis of test specimens as well as structural elements with fractographic and metallographic techniques. Specialist competency in design optimization and structural analysis rests with the team’s internationally recognized expert in the integrated force method (IFM). Particular multi-functional expertise exists in shape memory alloys, active (sensing/actuating) thermo-electro-magnetic materials, seals, and structures composed of these materials. Some of the recent accomplishments include patent applications for 1) the Self-Sealing, Smart, Variable Area Nozzle (S3VAN) (LEW-17494-1) and 2) the Torsional Magnetorheological Fluid Resistant Device (TMRFRD) (LEW-17510-1). General analytical/simulation capabilities exist in thermomechanics, manufacturing processes, and dynamics.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Sreeramesh Kalluri, Research Team Leader, at 216.433.6727 or Sreeramesh.Kalluri@grc.nasa.gov.

The Turbomachinery and Propulsion Systems Research Team is led by Dr. Andrew L. Gyekenyesi. Multiple disciplines are included within the Turbomachinery and Propulsion Systems Team. Concerning the structures and materials arena, research is focused on: developing and enhancing nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques; developing and implementing diagnostic/prognostic health monitoring systems for aerospace components and systems; and, studying experimental and analytical mechanics in respect to advanced materials. Efforts are also being carried out in the field of instrumentation and sensors. These efforts include designing and fabricating innovative, high temperature silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and other electronics for monitoring aeronautical and space propulsion systems. Technologies such as planar optical diagnostics for flow field measurements, in-situ SiC emission monitoring sensor systems as well as the art of fabricating various, intricate SiC electronics and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are addressed. In addition, advanced optical techniques are applied for flow characterization. Experiments utilizing nozzle flow measurements allow for a better understanding of noise producing turbulence in turbojet engines as well as allowing for the verification of analytical models. Optical sensing techniques are also used for characterizing high-pressure flames within the combustors of turbine engines. Another arena for this team involves improving engine performance by enhancing numerical models related to gas flows in turbomachinery. In particular, design optimization and computational fluid dynamics are studied. Lastly, aircraft icing problems are dealt with by defining improved procedures for scaling in regard to subscale experiments and numerical analyses.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Andrew L. Gyekenyesi, Research Team Leader, at 216.443.8155 or Andrew.L.Gyekenyesi@grc.nasa.gov.