UDRI's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development researchers innovate and transition advanced manufacturing techniques and processes to production. Using standardized tools, processes, and equipment, we address the challenges of additive manufacturing (AM) including reverse engineering, design and qualification for AM, process validation and facility deployment, materials, and cybersecurity.
UDRI's Advanced Materials Chemistry research scientists are experts on chemical structure-property and structure-processing relationships that can be used to develop and transition new materials with advanced thermal, mechanical and electrical properties. Our knowledge, expertise, and testing capabilities ensure that materials chosen for an application will perform as advertised, and will also identify the limits of those materials to help customers ensure safe and effective use of their products. Simply put, we can tell you why a material behaves the way it does, and why it can or cannot be used in a particular application.
From synthesizing small experimental polymer samples, to developing nanomaterials or fabricating large composite aerostructures, UDRI can meet the needs of U.S. government and industrial sponsors. The polymer and composite team at UDRI has the experience, knowledge and equipment to tackle the most daunting challenges.
UDRI’s material characterization experts provide custom, application driven testing and characterization for both US government and industrial partners. Our team has been at the forefront of developing advanced testing capabilities to help solve current application driven challenges.
UDRI has virtually unlimited capabilities in this area, as we conduct the largest sponsored materials engineering research effort in the nation among universities. While our primary materials customer is the United States Air Force, we serve a wide variety of both governmental and commercial organizations.
UDRI high-temperature materials researchers engage in the characterization, life prediction, and testing of materials used in extreme environments. Our focus areas include studies of ceramics, metals, ceramic matrix composites, carbon-carbon composites, optical ceramics, thermal barrier coatings, and optical coatings.
UDRI's Failure Analysis researchers provide comprehensive solutions to uncover the root causes of material and component failures across diverse industries. Our research blends advanced analytical techniques with practical engineering expertise to solve complex challenges, improve product designs, and prevent future incidents.
UDRI excels in robot accuracy allowing path generation and tool placement from part CAD drawings and coordination of probe/sensor placement, scanning, and data acquisition. We can apply six-axis articulating and Cartesian/gantry robotics to automated inspection systems, and our mixed mode positioning systems feature coordinated linear and rotary (turntable) positioning.
UDRI Fuel Science experts conduct experimental and computational research in jet fuel thermal stability, jet fuel cold-flow improvement, fuel additives, fuel autoxidation, chemical kinetics and computational fluid dynamics of fuel oxidation and deposition, molecular modeling of alkane/fuel crystallization, aircraft fuel system operation at low temperature, fuel chemical analysis, chemical analysis of additives, fuel solid-liquid equilibria, fuel instrumental analysis, and biological contamination of fuel.
UDRI’s Fuel Engineering experts perform multi-functional research and development in each area of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel’s life cycle related to engineering processes, use, performance, and emissions. Our expertise includes advanced aviation fuels, conventional transportation fuels, and alternative fuels.
UDRI researchers conduct technical research and development activities on advanced lubrication system technologies. We collaborate with several other research groups within UDRI, and our customers include U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial organizations.
UDRI’s Kinetics and Process Engineering researchers investigate the interactions involved in and results produced by dynamic processes such as combustion; incineration; laser photolysis; soot and pollutant formation; algae formation, growth, and extraction; hypersonic flight; thermochemical, biochemical, and electrochemical conversion to energy. We explore and develop commercially viable technologies and methodologies that solve our clients' energy challenges.
UDRI’s Energetic Materials scientists perform research in synthetic and analytical chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering/electronics, with specialties in synthesis and in-situ functionalization of hybrid inorganic-organic nanoparticles, highly-reactive nanoenergetic materials, fuel additives, micro- and nanoelectronics, microelectronic fabrication, photovoltaics, and opto-chemical sensors/detectors.
UDRI's Thermal Management scientists conduct applied and fundamental research in aircraft thermal management, phase change heat transfer, multiphase flows, fuel decomposition models, waste heat power recovery, and simulation of aircraft fuel systems, as well as other areas.
UDRI Combustion researchers perform experimental and theoretical combustion research, applying our expertise in well-stirred reactor (WSR) studies, ignition and flame stabilization, gaseous and particulate emissions research, and laser diagnostics of combustion processes.
UDRI develops and integrates new and conventional materials into multifunctional structures and products. We work to reduce size, weight, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity (SWPaM) and to increase performance, ruggedness, and survivability. We employ advanced, in-house capabilities in design, growth, processing, fabrication, characterization, and testing for this work.
UDRI scientists and engineers solve complex problems to help customers accomplish their missions or achieve their objectives. Through using sound and accepted practices, and by developing innovative, often groundbreaking techniques, we find solutions to the most difficult structural and system-related challenges.
UDRI Impact Physics researchers have provided test and evaluation services for the development and certification of impact-resistant systems for government and industrial sponsors since 1965. We routinely perform research and testing in the fields of foreign object damage (FOD), light armor design and evaluation, penetration mechanics, hypervelocity impact testing and analysis, and dynamic behavior of materials.
Our Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) researchers provide expertise in development, enhancement, and integration of advanced NDE and characterization technologies for aerospace materials and their properties.
Our researchers bring expertise in materials characterization, processing, mechanical testing, and systems design to every application. In addition, our researchers have extensive experience in NDE-related areas including robotics and automation, statistical and inversion methods, image and signal processing, as well as modeling and simulations.