Printable Version

Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Energy — finding, producing, and transporting fossil fuels, developing and assessing alternative sources and cleaning up energy byproducts — remains a core program at Southwest Research Institute. Military operations and homeland security are also driving mechanical and materials research in avionics, armor, corrosion, structural life prediction and extension, and materials, coatings and nanomaterials.

Using nanometer-level control, we produced nanocomposite, nanoplatelet, and single monolayer thin films and coatings, providing properties ranging from durability to chemical activity to molecular adhesion or repulsion. These unique materials and surfaces have a wide variety of applications, meeting demands for ultra-hard, lightweight turbine blades, for high-capacity hydrogen storage materials and for eliminating hydrate formation in petroleum wells (surfaceengineering.swri.org).

SwRI evaluates the effects of fluid motion in spacecraft propellant tanks, such as this full-scale model of a tank with an internal diaphragm used on the New Horizons and Deep Impact spacecraft. Our engineers design test tanks to match closely the internal design features of spacecraft tanks, while providing access for sensors, and to allow visual observations (fluids.swri.org)

Our engineers are creating corrosion-resistant materials, monitoring corrosion in existing systems such as pipelines and military vehicles and evaluating corrosion and corrosion fatigue of materials in high-pressure, high-temperature and sour gas environments. In 2007, we developed wireless corrosion sensors that can be mounted under military vehicles as well as a plasma immersion technique to deposit diamond-like carbon on piping to inhibit corrosion (corrosiontechnology.swri.org).

SwRI applies probabilistic mechanics and reliability expertise to challenging problems across many industries, such as DARWIN® rotor risk assessment (darwin.swri.org) and NESSUS® probabilistic analysis software (nessus.swri.org). In 2007, we supported NASA on several critical space shuttle launch issues, developed reliability-based inspection procedures for oil and gas clients, and developed a novel technique for modeling variations in bone to support osteoporosis research.

With nearly 55 years of experience in machinery pulsation control, SwRI remains on the forefront of this technology, developing next-generation compressor pulsation simulation software that more accurately models reciprocating compressor and pump effects. Using this new simulation tool, engineers can design more energy-efficient, cost-effective pulsation control systems than previously possible (pulsation.swri.org).

SwRI scientists developed a technique called inverted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy that deposits silver or gold nanoparticles onto a mineral sample to enhance sensitivity and identify trace concentrations of molecules. We developed this unique vacuum chamber, which simulates Martian atmosphere and pressures, to evaluate using iSERS on a Mars rover to look for signs of past life in the Red Planet’s mineral record.

To reduce greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, SwRI engineers are developing new compression technologies to reduce the power required to sequester carbon dioxide in clean coal power plants. Currently, injecting CO₂ into the ground requires significant compression power, reducing power plant efficiency by as much as 12 percent. We also conducted a program to improve the reliability of the power transmission systems in wind turbines, one of the fastest growing alternative energy sources.

The high price of oil and gas is driving increased exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico and increased activity in the Institute's suite of deep ocean simulation chambers, evaluating deep sea tubular products and production equipment for the petroleum industry (pressuresimulation.swri.org).

In 2007, we evaluated a variety of armor concepts and designs for both government and commercial clients aimed at mitigating the effects of improvised explosive devices. Land mines also pose a significant threat to tactical vehicles. Using computational and experimental methods, we are designing and evaluating various techniques to make next-generation military vehicles more resistant to explosives (engineeringdynamics.swri.org).

A new SwRI office in Minneapolis is focused on understanding and modeling the response of armor materials by developing and using numerical methods to study advanced protection concepts.

For DARPA’s Topologically Controlled Lightweight Armor program, SwRI leads a team designing and evaluating innovative armor configurations to increase protection and decrease the cost of armor for light trucks. These high-speed images (inset) show how effectively our new multi-element armor systems stop various ballistic threats (engineeringdynamics.swri.org).

In aviation, we conducted full-scale fatigue certification tests of a commercial jet, completed a T-38 structural life evaluation program for the Air Force and provided engineering services to the Army to support condition-based maintenance for the CH-47 helicopter (aerospacestructures.swri.org).

SwRI designed and built the pressure hull of the new U.S. Navy submarine crew rescue vehicle, which successfully underwent sea trials in 2007. We are currently designing the next-generation deep ocean research submersible and developing thermal protection materials and garments to protect Navy Seals and marine divers (structuralsystems.swri.org).

Visit mechmat.swri.org for more information or contact Vice President Dr. Robert L. Bass at (210) 522-2326 or rbass@swri.org.

2007 Annual Report SwRI Home