SwRI Research Areas

SwRI Research Areas - Alphabetical Listing
Select a letter to jump to the associated alphabetic section of the research areas list.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 

- D -

Damage Tolerance Analysis
	Administration
	Aerospace Structures Section
DARWIN Software
DARWIN is a computer program that determines the probability of fracture of a gas turbine engine rotor by integrating finite element stress results, fracture-mechanics-based fatigue life assessment, material anomaly data, probability of anomaly detection, and inspection schedules.
	Mechanics and Materials Section
Data Acquisition and Analysis
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Powertrain Controls Section
	Administration
	Engine Development
	Performance and Instruction Department
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Unmanned Systems and Sensors
	Autonomous Systems and Control
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Administration
	Network-Centric Systems
	Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
	Electrical Systems
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
	Production and Operations Department
	Integrated Systems
	Staff Analysts
	Ballistics and Explosives Range
	Flow Measurement
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
	Earth and Planetary Sciences
Data Acquisition Systems
Design, development, and integration of hardware and software systems for the real-time acquisition, handling, routing, and display of data from sensors and sensor systems. Data acquisition systems may be comprised of custom and/or commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software components.
	Powertrain Controls Section
	Advanced Vehicle Technology
	Integrated Diagnostics Section
	Unmanned Systems and Sensors
	Autonomous Systems and Control
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Division Operations
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Administration
	Network-Centric Systems
	Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
	Computer Technology Section
	Production and Operations Department
	Integrated Systems
	Staff Analysts
	Machinery Piping Design
	Flow Measurement
	Rotating Machinery
	Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Data Base Generation Tools
	Administration
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
Data Base Technology
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Division Operations
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Biomedical Engineering
	Automation and Data Systems Division
Data Communications
Design and development of wired and wireless communications networks for the distribution of data to and from subsystems and/or end users.
	Computer and Instrument Services Section
	Division Operations
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Administration
	Network-Centric Systems
	Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
Data Systems--Hardware
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Network-Centric Systems
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
Data Systems--Medical Software
	Division Operations
	Biomedical Engineering
	Biomedical Engineering Section
Data Systems--Software
Design of software for Data Systems
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Administration
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Division Administration
	Division Operations
	Administration
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
	Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Data Visualization
Format measured or sensed data in a graphical form representing an image of the sensed fields. Analysis and visualization with Matlab/Simulink.
	Powertrain Controls Section
	Administration
	Administration
	Immersive Technologies
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Administration
	Network-Centric Systems
	Administration
	Administration
	Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
	Earth and Planetary Sciences
Graphical display of complex data sets.
	Earth and Planetary Sciences
Data Visualization Tools
Visualizations that facilitate understanding the meanings and relationships of large data sets that may be derived from mathematical models or physical systems. Experience with applicable methods include renderings that use lines, vectors, surfaces, textures, glyphs, streamlines, animation and movies. Many enterprise information management systems contain data visualization modules. In other cases, these tools may exist as stand-alone software. Data visualization tools can help people conduct forms of analysis for which the human brain may be superior to computers, or for which understanding of an abstract context is required. Examples of such analyses are making comparisons between data sets to indentify trends, recognize patterns, and form hypothoses about relationships and casuality. In the Training, Simulation, and Performance Improvement Division, data visualization tools are most commonly associated with electronic performance support systems (EPSS). EPSS products are de
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Network-Centric Systems
Database Development
	Integrated Diagnostics Section
	Traffic Management Systems Group
Database Modeling
	Traffic Management Systems Group
DC Motors
Selection and application of DC motors and design of DC motor control units.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Powertrain Controls Section
	Engine Design and Analysis
	International
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
DC to DC Converter Systems
	Power Systems Section
Decontaminate/Decommission--Radiological
	Administration
	Washington Technical Support Office
Dedicated Short Range Communications
	Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
Deep Well Reactor
	Chemical Engineering
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Administration
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Deflegration to Detonation Transition
	Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
Demodulation/Decoding
	Institute Scientists
	SIGINT Solutions Department
	Staff Engineers and Specialists
Design and Analysis of Experiments (DOE)
A branch of applied statistics dealing with planning, conducting, analyzing and interpreting controlled tests to evaluate the factors that control the value of a parameter or group of parameters.
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
Design Engineering--Fluid Systems
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Administration
	Administration
	Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
	Machinery Piping Design
	Flow Measurement
Design Review
SwRI Component-Analysis personnel have experience in conducting design reviews relating to electronic and electrical equipment. Such reviews include assessment of circuit configuration, component selection, electrical stresses on key components, and circuit-board layout and fabrication processes, as well as identification of potential failure mechanisms that may adversely long-term field reliability.
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
	Computer Technology Section
Design--Mechanical
Primarily focuses on machines performing a dynamic action e.g. test stands for dynamic tests of components, conveyors, and aircraft components.
	Hydraulic Vehicle Technology
	Administration
	Administration
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Desktop Manufacturing/Rapid Prototyping
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Administration
	Engine Development
	Division Administration
	Administration
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Administration
	Administration
Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA)
Destructive physical analysis (DPA) of electronic and electrical components. Laboratory capabilities include optical and scanning-electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray elemental analysis, x-radiography, fine-leak and gross-leak hermeticity testing, particle-impact-noise detection, decapsulation, disassembly, cross sectioning (both mounted and unmounted), delayering (both wet-chemical and plasma etching), and microprobing. Additional relevant capabilities that exist in other SwRI laboratories include Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, gas and liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry, atomic-absorption spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, and scanning-Auger microprobing.
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
Destructive Testing of Hardware
The physical enviromental testing testing can reach limits that will destroy hardware. This can be accomplished through vibration, shock, blasts, thermal, humidity, salt laden air, immersion, and other simulated environments. Destructive mechanical disassembly can also be performed to inspect hardware to determine cause of failer or mechanical and/or materials properties.
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Administration
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
	Structural Engineering Department
Detonation/Flame Arresters
Product involves the testing and analysis of detonation/flame arresters. Testing is performed according to standard ASTM, FM, EN, SAE, UL, or custom developed test procedures. Measurements may include detonation/flame speed and pressure wave characteristics. Detonation Flame Arrestors are certified to suppress deflagration and detonation propagation in piping up to 24 inches in diameter. Fuel and air is mixed within flammability limits. Piping length is adjusted to produce deflagration or detonation. Evaluations are conducted with Group C (ethylene) or Group D (propane). Combustion propagation range from low and high deflagrations to stable and overdriven detonations.
	Engineering and Research Section
	Science & Analysis
	Administration
	Computational Mechanics
Detonations/Explosions
	Administration
	Administration
	Computational Mechanics
	Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
Diagnostics--Turbine Engine
	Administration
	Unmanned Systems and Sensors
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
	Rotating Machinery
Diagnostics--Vibration
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
Dialectic Constant Measurement
Dialectic constant measurement of jet fuel.
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Dielectric Test--Oil
	Engine Design and Analysis
	International
Diesel Aftertreatment
	Administration
Diesel Analytical Fuel/Additive
	Chemical Engineering
	Administration
	Chemistry and Unregulated Emissions
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Diesel Analytical Fuel/Additive (Cost)
Diesel testing, diesel analysis, lubricity testing, lubricity additive testing, or diesel additive testing.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuel Lab Prof Staff
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Diesel Emission Control Systems
	Administration
Diesel Engine Component Wear Testing
Wear components include: a) cylinder liner, b) valvetrain, c) bearings, d) piston rings. Techniques used: 1) before and after test part measurements (micrometer; weight), 2) radioactive tracer methods, 3) wear metals concentration in used oil, 4) visual distress rating.
	Diesel Engineers and Technicians
	Fleet and Field Evaluations Section
	Lee Grant
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Diesel Engine Development
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Administration
	Engine and Vehicle R&D
	Diesel Technology Section
	Particle Science
Diesel Engine Lubricant Testing
Division 08 provides diesel engine lubricant evaluations, using both industry standard lubricant tests and specialized, one of a kind tests. These tests cover the gamut from petroleum chemistry lab bench tests to engine tests. For more specific detail on standard tests offered, see the 08 web site.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine Design and Analysis
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Diesel Engineers and Technicians
	Lee Grant
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Filtration and Fine Particle Technology
Diesel Engine Performance/Generators
	Engineering and Research Section
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine and Vehicle R&D
	Diesel Technology Section
	Medium Speed Diesel Engine Section
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
Diesel Engine Testing
Div. 08 provides industry standard lubricant evaluation tests, several of which use operating diesel engines. Also, durability and performance testing of diesel engines and their components.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Medium Speed Diesel Engine Section
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
	Diesel Engineers and Technicians
	Lee Grant
Diesel Engines
	Administration
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine and Vehicle R&D
	Diesel Technology Section
Diesel Fuel Fingerprinting by GC/MS
Speciates diesel fuels by the chemical types contained in them. Up to 120 chemical types will be reported in a quantitative manner. For example, n-C10 through n-C25 alkanes, tetraline, methyltetralines, Trimethyltetralines, naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes, alkyl benzenes, alkyl cyclohexanes, etc. will be among the 120 chemical types reported.
	Fuel Lab Prof Staff
Diesel Fuel Injection Wear
Radioactive tracer technology is used to measure injector wear, in real-time, under actual (in-engine) or simulated (test bench) operation.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine Design and Analysis
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Filtration and Fine Particle Technology
Diesel Fuel Production/Formulation
	Chemical Engineering
	Administration
Diesel Fuel Properties
	Chemical Engineering
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuel Survey Projects
	Fuel Lab Prof Staff
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Diesel Fuel Systems
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Hydraulic Vehicle Technology
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Fuel Systems and Contamination Research
Diesel Particulate Characterization
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Department of Emissions Research and Development
	Chemistry and Unregulated Emissions
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Testing
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) will be heavily used to remove particulate emissions from diesel engine exhaust. DPF testing can be performed to measure efficiency, durability, balance point temperature, temperature profiles, and numerous other functions.
	Aftreatment Research and Development Section
	Certification, Audit, and Compliance
	Aftertreatment Technology
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Provides precise determinations of transition temperatures. Common temperature measurements include melting, oxidation onset, solid-state transition, crystallization, thermal stability, glass transition, liquid crystal, and cure onset.
	Lubricant Analysis, Administrative Staff
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Science & Analysis
	Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
	Environmental Performance of Materials
Differential Thermal Analysis
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
	Instrument Systems Section
	Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
	Environmental Performance of Materials
Digital Acoustic Analysis--Compressors and Pump Installations
Digital acoustical simulation techniques are used to assess the pressure pulsation characteristics of the compressor or pump installation and to design a pulsation and vibration control system.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fleet and Field Evaluations Section
	Administration
	Machinery Piping Design
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
Digital Design--Hardware
Digital design is a skill that involves the ability to build digital systems out of lower level digital devices. This includes electrical interfacing, schematic capture, simulation and board layout.
	Integrated Diagnostics Section
	Network-Centric Systems
	Electrical Systems
	Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Administration
	Network-Centric Systems
	Administration
	Biomedical Engineering Section
	Science & Analysis
	Electrical Systems
	Applied Physics Division
	Institute Scientists
Digital to Analog Converter
	Autonomous Systems and Control
	Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
DIN 53769-2
	Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Dioxins/Furans by High Resolution/Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Multi-media analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD's) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF's) using EPA Method 8280 (Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry), EPA Method 8290 (High Resolution Mass Spectrometry), and EPA method 1613 (High Resolution Mass Spectrometry).
	Division Quality Assurance
	Organic
	Fuel Lab Prof Staff
Direction Finding Equipment
	Office of the Vice President
	SIGINT Solutions Department
	Program Management
	Staff Engineers and Specialists
	Signal Exploitation and Geolocation Division
	Project and Operations Support
Distillation (Petroleum)
	Chemical Engineering
	Administration
Distinct/Discrete Element Analysis
Distinct/discrete element analysis is a numerical simulations of static and dynamic behavior of systems with discontinuities or fractures using the distinct/discrete element method.
	Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
Distributed Interactive Simulation
	Administration
	Training, Simulation and Performance Improvement Division
	Administration
	Systems Engineering
	Emerging Technologies
Distributed Learning
Distributed Learning
Distributed Systems
Experience in the design and development of computer-based systems whose functionality is distributed across multiple compute nodes over local and/or wide area networks. Relevant concepts and technologies include software design; wired and wireless network design; network protocols and programming such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP, and multicast; client/server design; design for scalability; and web-based interfaces and services. SwRI has experience with distributed systems in the database/information systems domain, the multimedia domain, as well as the distributed real-time systems domain.
	Administration
	Administration
DOD-D-1000 (MIL Std Documentation)
	Aircraft Systems Integration Section
	Division Administration
	Administration
Door/Window Certification
Third-party listing, labeling and follow up inspection services for doors and windows, to comply with building, fire and/or marine safety codes."
	Administration
	Automation and Data Systems Division
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Downhole/Borehole Camera--Mine Studies
	Administration
Drilling
	Administration
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
	Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
	Geosciences and Engineering Division
Drilling Hydraulics/Chip Transport
We have conducted several projects for oil and gas companies where they are determining the influence of a number of parameters on the transport of drilling cuttings up the annulus of an oil/gas well. These parameters include hole angle, penetration rate, cutting size, drill string rotation rate, drill string size, drill string eccentricity, and drilling mud properties. We have also conducted projects to determine improved geometries for bottom hole assemblies, in order to reduce the torque and drag required to remove a drill string from a hole laden with drill cuttings.
	Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Drilling Oil Field
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
	Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
	Geosciences and Engineering Division
Drilling Platform--Marine Application
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Drilling Systems
	Administration
	Administration
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
	Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
Drilling--Automated and Adaptive
	Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
driveline testing services
specification testing, OEM licensing or research, friction, fluid properties, performance
	Specialty and Driveline Fluids Evaluations Section
Drivetrain Engineering
	Drivetrain Engineering
Drop/Impact Test
Drop/impact testing is performed to simulate mechanical shock that products will be exposed to in service. Either free-fall or guided shock testing is performed to provide a broad spectrum of acceleration and duration of the required shock simulation. Guided shock tables and Electrodynamic shakers are utilized on product to provide a finer tuned shock simulation. Mechanical shocks simulated include transportation, product handling, impact, pyrotechnic, and other high accelerations environments.
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Administration
	Structural Engineering Department
Drug Analysis and Testing
	Technology Development
	Chemistry and Unregulated Emissions
DSRC
	Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
Dummy Crash Testing
	Marine Structures and Engineering Section
	Structural Engineering Department
Dust Explosibility
Product includes the simulation or modeling and analysis of explosions, intentional or unintentional, involving dust. Measurements may include pressure, impulse, speed, temperature, strain, etc.
	Engineering and Research Section
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Science & Analysis
Dust Explosion Tests
Product includes the simulation or modeling and analysis of explosions, intentional or unintentional, involving dust. Measurements may include pressure, impulse, speed, temperature, strain, etc.
	Engineering and Research Section
	Science & Analysis
Dust Testing--hygroscopic
This hygroscopic test simulates approximately 15 years of dust accumulation on an electronics card. The subject card is then subjected to a high humidity environment while operating to determine if operation is affected.
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
	Structural Engineering Department
Dynamic Balance--Disk and Blade Sets (machine fixtures)
Single stage disk and blade sets (sets in sufficient number to complete the assembly). Comprised of multiple sets of blade pairs, within moment tolerance; assemvly includes a disk that meets the OEM residual imbalance of the disk (marked for location and magnitude on the disk rim); Martched blade sets must meet OEM tolerance before calculating the optimum assembly distribution onto the disk.
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
Dynamic Balance--Rotor System
Can be rotor assemblies, one to several stages. Subassembly is run on calibrated machine fixtures, to provide corrective weight and location. Machine rpms are typically <10% of the design speed (100%). End item engine assembly, run on test cell or installed in an aircraft and is measured for vibration exceedance of limits. Empirical relationships are developed to equate vibs to required weight additional and the associated location.
	Aerospace Systems Engineering
Dynamic Calculations
Advanced computational methods and computer codes are used to solve a wide range of dynamic or transient engineering or environmental problems, including fluid mechanical systems response, materials response, structural response, and environmental response to dynamic forces.
	Administration
	Computational Mechanics
	Administration
	Machinery Piping Design
	Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
Dynamic Material Response Impact
	Administration
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis
Mesurement of modulus of polymer and other semi-solid materials as a function of temperature. Identifies glass transition temperatures and melting temperatures of polymer materials.
	Science & Analysis
Dynamic Wear Test
	Filtration and Fine Particle Technology
	Materials Engineering Department
Dynamometer Engine Testing
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Administration
	Medium Speed Diesel Engine Section
	Engine Development
	Engine Design and Analysis
	SwARC Support and Business Development Administration
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
	International
	JAB Supervisors
	Lee Grant
	Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
Dynamometer Testing--Heavy Duty Engines
Testing of diesel engines, in a test stand, using a dynamometer to apply load to the engine and hence absorb its power output.
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Medium Speed Diesel Engine Section
	Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
	Diesel Engineers and Technicians
Dynamometer--Test Stand Fabrication
	Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
	Engine Design and Analysis
	Lee Grant
	Instrumentation