Among other areas, OAI focuses on seven technology areas to identify and pursue value-added collaborations, projects, and results for our industry participants. In doing so, we offer the opportunity to build more “critical mass” and distinctive staff competence in these areas, as well as to draw on OAI university, and government laboratory researcher expertise.

In-Situ System Health Monitoring
This area includes diagnostic and prognostic technologies for in-situ non-destructive evaluation and identification of material degradation prior to failure, especially catastrophic failure – including extreme temperatures, corrosive conditions, and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). Applications include turbine engines and airframe structures. Materials include composites, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, and high temperature metals. Goal is to reduce/eliminate scheduled maintenance. These techniques can also be applied to testing of components in manufacturing.

All Electric Aircraft
All-electric and "more-electric" aircraft is a fundamental evolution toward lighter, more reliable and maintainable aircraft with improved fuel efficiency and greater environmental compatibility. One implication is optimizing the engine to produce thrust and electric power – or only thrust with electric power generated independently. Control systems, actuators, and other aspects of aircraft design and performance must be redesigned to fully realize the benefits.

Advanced Airframe and Engine Materials
Aerospace component emphasis today is on higher performance and reliability, with reduced weight and life cycle cost. Integration of structural integrity, aerodynamic performance, mission support, manufacturability, and performance under varying flight and environmental conditions utilizing the unique properties of new materials and structures provides an opportunity for a competitive advantage.

Aging Aircraft Sustainment
Commercial and military aircraft are increasingly being retained in service beyond their original design life, with expanded operational requirements. Aircraft must be proactively and affordably inspected, maintained, managed and upgraded to address material corrosion, degradation, cracks, and fatigue to ensure continued safety, reliability, performance, and minimal life cycle cost. Applications emphasize turbine engines and structural components.

Aerospace Control Systems and Technologies
Technologies include flight control systems, modeling and dynamic analysis, and stability evaluation.

Computer-based Design and Development Tools
Computer-based tools reduce the time and cost to develop technology, including qualification of new materials, products, and manufacturing processes. These tools enable more robust examination of design alternatives, and a more interactive study of user requirements scenarios. Various techniques and tools are available as needed, often with application across diverse technologies and disciplines. Applications include accelerating qualification of new components and materials, and design of complex systems including airframes and engines.

Tribology, Coatings, and Additives
Performance of metallic, ceramic, and polymeric materials, lubricants and fuels benefit from techniques for improving material surface life and reducing wear, protecting surfaces from oxidation, and reducing friction.

For more information contact:
Donald Majcher, Vice President of Technology and Innovation Partnerships, at 440.962.3019 or DonaldMajcher@oai.org.