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

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S-35 
ANALYSIS FOR SULFUR-35
  Administration
  Division Quality Assurance
  Administration
SABER 
  Tracking Systems
  Surveillance and Geolocation Department
  Staff Engineers
Safety Hazard Analysis 
  Administration
  Administration
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Aerospace Structures Section
Safety Valve Testing 
API 14A and 6AV1 testing for subsurface, underwater, and surface safety valves
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Safety Valve Testing (API 14A and 6AV1) 
Testing for subsurface, underwater, and surface safety valves.
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Salt Fog Testing 
The test involves exposing coatings (for example: paints, oil) to the corrosive environment of a salt fog to test the protective abilities of the coatings.
  Lubricant Analysis, Administrative Staff
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Salt Spray Test 
The test involves exposing coatings (for example: paints, oil) to the corrosive environment of a salt fog to test the protective abilities of the coatings.
  Lubricant Analysis, Administrative Staff
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Structural Engineering Department
Sampling--Environmental/Field 
  Administration
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
  Administration
Satellite Beacons/Tracking Capabilities 
  Tracking Systems
  Surveillance and Geolocation Department
  Staff Engineers
SB-125 
ANALYSIS FOR ANTIMONY - 125
  Administration
  Division Quality Assurance
  Administration
SC-1E Space Computer 
  Administration
Scale Modeling 
  Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Small, medium and full scale modeling of structures and structural systems for assessment, testing and evaluation
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
Scanners, Manipulators 
  Robotics and Automation Engineering
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
  Applied Physics Division
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Scanning Electron Microscope 
The SwRI Component-Analysis Group has a scanning-electron microscope (SEM) that is equipped with an energy-dispersive x-ray elemental-analysis system. Using this equipment, Group personnel routinely perform scanning-electron microscopy of a variety of objects including electronic components, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and components of larger electrical equipment. Additionally, using the energy-dispersive x-ray system, Group personnel can also determine elemental composition of an object while it is being imaged.
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Materials Engineering Department
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
Scanning Probe Microscope 
  Science & Analysis
SCAT (Sneak Circuit Analysis Tool) 
Div 09 performs sneak circuit analysis for critical weapon system electronics and controls - typically involving munitions or weapon delivery - to identify unintended circuit paths that could inadvertently alters the intended performance of the system - whether by causing unintended results or by preventing intended results from occurring. Div 09 performs sneak circuit analysis using MIL-STD-1543B as a guideline and by blending the use of a commercially available software tool (SCAT, or Sneak Circuit Analysis Tool (TM)) with focused analytical techniques to identify and charaterize potential operational hazards of a system or subsystem.
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
School Buses--Alternative Fuels 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
Seatbelt Testing 
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
  Structural Engineering Department
Seismic Analysis and Design 
  Engineering and Research Section
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
  Geosciences and Engineering Division
Seismic Hazard Analysis 
  Washington Technical Support Office
  Geology and Geophysics Group
Seismic Testing 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
  Geosciences and Engineering Division
Semi-volatile Pollutants Analysis by GC/MS 
There are no clear-cut definitions to distinguish semi-volatile from volatile organic compounds. However, dichlorobenzenes and trichlorobenzenes are being considered as volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, respectively. Naphthalene is considered as high end of volatile compound and low end of semi-volatile compounds. SwRI has over 35 years of experience in analyzing semi-volatile organic pollutants in the following chemical categories: pesticides, PCBs, chlorinated and brominated dioxins/dibenzofurans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs, and industrial chemicals. Almost any semi-volatile organic pollutants in any matrix can be analyzed by SwRI.
  Fuel Lab Prof Staff
Semiconductor 
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
  Integrated Diagnostics Section
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Semiconductor Measurements 
Performance of electrochemical and Mott-Schottky measurements of semiconductor/electrolyte junctions. This includes work on pure semiconductor materials and passivating oxide films.
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Semiconductor--Failure Analysis 
The SwRI Component-Analysis Group specializes in failure analysis of electronic components. Included in the Group's experience are (1) integrated circuits (e.g., operational amplifiers, logic devices, voltage regulators, etc.) and (2) discrete semiconductor devices (e.g., transistors, diodes, optoelectronic devices, silicon controlled rectifiers, etc.). Laboratory equipment supports key failure-analysis operations including photography, optical microscopy, high-resolution real-time x-radiography, package opening, scanning-electron microscopy, elemental analysis by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, cross sectioning (both mounted and unmounted), microprobing, wet-chemical and plasma etching, hermeticity testing, and particle-impact-noise detection.
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
Sensor Empire 
Air Force-coined name for their telecommunications monitoring and analysis program.
  Network-Centric Systems
Sensor Networks 
Sensor Networks
  Administration
Sensor Simulation 
  Administration
  Systems Modeling
  Emerging Technologies
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
Sensors 
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Administration
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Biomedical Engineering Section
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Administration
  Applied Physics Division
  Staff Engineers
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Sensors - Automotive 
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
Sensors -- Material Damage 
Sensors -- Material Damage
  Mechanics and Materials Section
Sensors--Biological 
  Administration
  Biomedical Engineering Section
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Sensors--Chemical 
Sensors development for detection of chemicals and environmental pollutant.
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
  Administration
  Administration
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Sensors--Development 
Sensors development for detection of chemicals and environmental pollutant.
  Administration
Sensors--Electrochemical 
  Administration
  Administration
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Materials Engineering Department
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Geosciences and Engineering Division
  Geological and Aerospace Materials
Sensors--Electromechanical 
Stan Silvus has extensive experience in design and fabrication of piezoelectric accelerometers. Usually, these sensors were designed to emphasize a very important performance parameter at the expense of less-important parameters.
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
Sensors--Electronic 
Sensor capabilities include audio, video, imagery and motion. Sensor support capabilities include RF communications.
  Administration
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Staff Engineers
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Sensors--Environmental 
Sensors to measure and detect environmental pollutants.
  Administration
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
  Administration
Sensors to measure rock properties
  Earth and Planetary Sciences
Sensors--Fluid/Applications 
  Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
  Administration
  Machinery Piping Design
Sensors--Gravimetric 
  Material Development
  Administration
Sensors--Optical 
  Biomedical Engineering Section
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  S & P
  Administration
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Sensors--Thin Film 
  Administration
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Sequence Testing (Lubricants) 
  Administration
  JAB Supervisors
  Lee Grant
Sequence VI Test 
Fuel Efficient Engine Oil Test, obsolete, parts not available.
  PCMO
  International
Shake Table 
The Mechanical Sciences Section maintains a variety of shaker tables to provide a broad capability to many industries and government. Shaker tables include servo-hydraulic tables providing lower frequency, high displacements to electromagnetic shakers which provide much higher frequency control and accelerations. Both single axis and multiaxis tables produce vibration and shock simulations. Earthquake simulation, transportation simulation, enviromental testing, and others can be produced with the variety of shaker tables.
  Certification, Audit, and Compliance
  Particle Science
  Aftertreatment Technology
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Structural Engineering Department
Shaped Charges 
SwRI performs experiments to study the effectiveness of various armors against varius shaped charge threats.
  Computational Mechanics
  Ballistics and Explosives Range
Shielding--RF, Tempest, EMP 
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Administration
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Shipboard Fire Testing 
Key words are IMO, US Navy Fire Tests, FTP Code, Ship material testing, fire resistance onboard commercial vessels or US Navy vessels.
  Administration
  Fire Resistance Section
  Engineering and Research Section
Shipboard Fire Testing - Fire Resistance 
  Fire Resistance Section
Shipboard Fire Testing - Smoke and Toxicity 
  Fire Resistance Section
Shipboard Pollution 
Potential exposure to organic and radioactive contaminants have regulatory limits. SwRI provides services to measure these health and safety related parameters.
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Chemistry and Unregulated Emissions
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
  CNWRA Operations
Shipboard Safety 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  CNWRA Operations
  Performance Assessment Group
Shock and Vibration 
Division 18 is capable of analysis and testing related to mechanical shock and vibration. A variety of shaker tables and mechanical shock machines are available in the laboratory to produce these environments. Shock and vibration loads can also be produced with blasts. Field measurements can be made and these shock and vibration effects can be analyzed and produced in the lab.
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Structural Engineering Department
Shock Tubes 
Shock tubes are used to develop rapid temperature gradients (on the order of a million degrees per second) and rapid pressure waves, exceeding the speed of sound. Homogenous, heterogeneous, and multiphase media can be studied. Shock tubes can be used to measure shock propagation and interactions, high-energy gas excitation and wave phenomena, chemical kinetics, and aerodynamics. Shock computation and modeling can also be studied.Related topics: Shock propagation and interactions; Shock-general chemical kinetics; Shock computation, modeling, and stability problems; Shock wave aerodynamics; Experimental methods; Shocks in multiphase and heterogeneous media; High energy gas excitation and wave phenomena.
  Engineering and Research Section
  Science & Analysis
SIGINT (SIGnals INTelligence) 
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been involved in the research, development, design and production of wideband HF/VHF/UHF acquisition and DF systems since the mid-1980s. SwRI's latest systems combine 20 years of system, software and hardware engineering experience resulting in a cost effective solution that meets current and future functional, performance and logistics support requirements.
  Office of the Vice President
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
  Staff Analysts
Signal Analysis 
This refers to the analysis of RF signals. SwRI's domain expertise is in the area of communications signals analysis. This is done automatically using SwRI signal recognition software or manually using software tools that visualize modulation structure and internal data content of the communication signal.
  Institute Scientists
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
Signal Processing 
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Network-Centric Systems
  Biomedical Engineering Section
  Science & Analysis
  Electrical Systems
  Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
  Applied Physics Division
  Institute Scientists
Signal Processing Modeling - Signals 
Signal Processing Modeling - Signals
  System Security and High Reliability Software
Signal Recognition 
  Integrated Diagnostics Section
  Institute Scientists
Silicones 
  Administration
  Administration
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
SILO 
Global tracking and locating satellite beacon system
  Tracking Systems
  Surveillance and Geolocation Department
  Staff Engineers
Simulation Software 
Modeling and simulation of vehicle performance and fuel economy. Including conventional, hybrid electric, hybrid hydraulic, and fuel cell vehicles.
  Advanced Vehicle Technology
Modeling of earth and planetary environmental systems; probabilistic risk assessment of nuclear waste handling and disposal systems containing both engineered and natural subsystems; evaluation of deterministic and stochastic processes. Simulation software is developed in multi-platform, multi-language, and parallel architechture environments. Includes Matlab, Simulin,, EASY5, MatrixX, ACSL, and Amesim.
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Powertrain Controls Section
  Advanced Vehicle Technology
  Administration
  Immersive Technologies
  Systems Engineering
  Emerging Technologies
  Egnineering and Systems Assessment
  Performance Assessment Group
Simulation--Discrete Event/Continuous Process 
  Emerging Technologies
  Manufacturing Systems Department
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
Simulation--Electromag., IR, Optics, UV 
  Administration
  Science & Analysis
  Applied Physics Division
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Simulation--Industrial/Manufacturing 
  Division Administration
  Administration
  Manufacturing Systems Department
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
Simulation--Networks 
  System Security and High Reliability Software
  Network-Centric Systems
  Communications and Embedded Systems Department
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Ballistics and Explosives Range
Simulation--Process 
  Chemical Engineering
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Simulation--Pulsation 
  Administration
  Administration
  Machinery Piping Design
Simulation--Seismic 
Dynamic testing to simulate seismic events is performed in the laboratory utilizing either a single axis or multiaxis electrohydraulic shaker table. Products are exposed to simulated seismic events to determine their functionality and mechanical/structural integrity to give a high degree of confidence to the end user that the product will perform in service. Structural and mechanical analyses can also be utilized in support of Seismic Simulation on structures and/or product that cannot be accomodated by the table due to large size or weight.
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Structural Engineering Department
Simulator Networking 
  Administration
  Training, Simulation and Performance Improvement Division
  Administration
  Immersive Technologies
  Systems Engineering
  Emerging Technologies
Simulators/Simulation 
  Administration
  Training, Simulation and Performance Improvement Division
  Administration
  Immersive Technologies
  Systems Engineering
  Emerging Technologies
Simulators/Simulation--Ocean 
Design, fabrication and testing of pressure vessels for deep ocean simulation
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
More than 10,500 sq. ft. of climate-controlled laboratory space with additional outdoor test facilities. Deep ocean pressure simulation test chanbers range from 90 inches inside diameter and 20 ft. deep to 10 inches inside diameter and 20,000 psig, which are used for static testing, cycle testing and destruction testing.
  Test and Evaluation Section
Unmanned testing, research and development of systems, subsystems, components and hardware, including but not limited to structural, mechanical, scale models, breathing gas, thermal, communications, command and control, data generation, capture and analysis, etc.
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
SLIC 40 Transducers 
  Science & Analysis
  Applied Physics Division
Slope Stability Analysis 
  Earth and Planetary Sciences
Small Mass Measurement Instruments 
  Material Development
  Systems Engineering
  Office of the Vice President
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
Smoke Meters 
Calibration of neutral density filters.
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Aftreatment Research and Development Section
  Particle Science
  Aftertreatment Technology
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
Smoke Obscuration 
Smoke obscuration includes smoke density measurements and smoke determination indices generated as products of combustion.
  Administration
  Fire Resistance Section
  Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
Sneak Circuit Analysis 
Div 09 performs sneak circuit analysis for critical weapon system electronics and controls - typically involving munitions or weapon delivery - to identify unintended circuit paths that could inadvertently alters the intended performance of the system - whether by causing unintended results or by preventing intended results from occurring. Div 09 performs sneak circuit analysis using MIL-STD-1543B as a guideline and by blending the use of a commercially available software tool (SCAT, or Sneak Circuit Analysis Tool (TM)) with focused analytical techniques to identify and charaterize potential operational hazards of a system or subsystem.
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
Snow Mobile Engines 
Consulting and testing.
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine and Vehicle R&D
  SwARC Support and Business Development Administration
Software 
  Administration
  Systems Engineering
  Systems Modeling
  Emerging Technologies
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Division Administration
  Division Operations
  Administration
  Administration
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Production and Operations Department
  Staff Analysts
Software - Handheld 
Software for handheld platforms such as the Apple iPhone or Google Android.
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
Software - Secure Software Development 
  Emerging Technologies
  Traveler Information Systems Group
Software Design 
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
Software Engineering 
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Traffic Management Systems Group
Software Executives 
  Administration
  Administration
  Administration
  Automation and Data Systems Division
Software Functional Testing 
Testing of the functional components of software.
  Traffic Management Systems Group
Software Process Improvements 
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Division Administration
  Division Operations
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Staff Analysts
Software Radio 
  Integrated Diagnostics Section
  Aircraft Systems Integration Section
  Administration
  Network-Centric Systems
  Institute Scientists
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
Software--Medical 
  Division Operations
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
  Biomedical Engineering
  Biomedical Engineering Section
Software--Robot System 
  Administration
  Robotics and Automation Engineering
  High Reliability Software
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
Software--Upgrade Legacy Software 
Software--Upgrade Legacy Software
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Division Operations
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Traveler Information Systems Group
  Staff Analysts
Software-Embedded Systems 
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Administration
  High Reliability Software
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
  Staff Analysts
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Soil Compaction--ASTM Testing 
  Organic
  Inorganics/Radiochemistry
Soil Contamination Test--Mobile Lab 
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
Soil Mechanics 
Research and technical consulting in laboratory, field, and numerical analyses to solve soil mechanics and soils engineering problems. Experience and expertise include slope stability analyses, erosion and gas-emission control systems, soil-structure interactions, static and dynamic rock properties testing, seismic responses, and related areas.
  Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
  Geosciences and Engineering Division
Soil Physical Property Test--ASTM 
  Organic
  Inorganics/Radiochemistry
Soil Remediation/Restoration 
Laboratory testing services.
  Administration
Soil Sampling/Survey/Investigation 
Analysis of soil samples. Investigation and survey.
  Administration
  Administration
Soil Stabilization 
  Material Flammability
  Materials Engineering Department
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
Soil Testing--Explosives 
  Administration
  Organic
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
Solar Cell Materials 
Solar Cell Materials
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
Solar Engineering 
  Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Administration
Solderability Testing 
The SwRI Component-Analysis Group has performed solderability tests on component leads and terminals as well as on printed-circuit-board pads.
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Electromechanical Systems
Solid Ionics 
Solid Ionics
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 
Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Solid NMR) allows the detection of unique chemical environments for carbon, silicon, aluminum, phosphorous, and other selected elements in the solid phase. Solid NMR allows the in-situ characterization of polymers, ceramics, biomaterials, and pharmacueticals, and complements information obtained by x-ray crystallography and diffraction. It can be espeically useful in the characterization of amorphous materials.
  Synthesis and Drug Delivery
Solid Waste 
Solid waste analytical laboratory testing services to identify chemical contaminants.
  Administration
Solids Modeling and Rapid Prototyping 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Department of Emissions Research and Development
  Engine Design and Analysis
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Administration
Solvents 
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
Solvents--Testing 
  Material Development
Sound Test 
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
Sound Test--Computer/Business Equipment 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Southern Gas Association (SGA) 
  Administration
  Administration
Space Data Systems 
Experience in he design of hardware and software components for use in command and telemetry systems for space applications; knowledge of and experience with the end-to-end communications systems and standards (e.g., CCSDS) which are required to transmit commands and telemetry between ground systems and space-borne systems.
  Administration
  Computer Technology Section
  Administration
Space Flight Experimentation 
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
  Science Section
  Administration
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Space Fluids 
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Space Hardware Development 
Develop high reliability, radiation hardened spacecraft avionics for NASA, DoD, and commercial applications. Specializing in spacecraft processors, command and data handling, science instrument interfaces, thermal management, attitude and propolusion, and power distribution. SwRI systems have flown on over 50 space missions in the last 26 years without a single on orbit failure.
  Administration
  Computer Technology Section
  Administration
Space Power Supplies 
  Power Systems Section
Spacecraft Flight Software 
  Administration
Spacecraft Tank Qualification 
Slosh testing and environmental testing (thermal, vibration, etc.) on spacecraft fuel tanks.
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
Spanish Translation 
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Process Improvement Engineering
  Administration
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Performance Assessment Group
Spark Ignited Engines 
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine and Vehicle R&D
  SwARC Support and Business Development Administration
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
Spark Plug Testing 
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine and Vehicle R&D
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
Special Heat--Fuels 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Special Purpose Laboratory Instruments 
Stan Silvus (Div. 14) has designed numerous special-purpose laboratory instruments for unusual applications. Typical examples include a large instrument for detecting cracks in the bores of cannon tubes, a temperature-controlled table used in restoration of paintings, a portable high-resistance (i.e., 1 gigaohm center scale) ohmmeter suitable for use in hazardous environments, an optical-fiber device for measuring low concentrations of oil suspended in water, a high-gain instrumentation preamplifier and filter, and a small handheld ac microvoltmeter.
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
specialized testing 
axle efficiency; hydraulic efficiency; tractor fuel consumption; tractor benchmarking; hydraulic durability; contamination effects (both water and particualte contamination); real time wear measurement by radioactive surface layer activation
  Specialty and Driveline Fluids Evaluations Section
Spectral Estimation 
Classified.
  Institute Scientists
Spectroscopy (Mass, IR, Raman, UV, VIS) 
  Administration
  Administration
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
  Organic
  Inorganics/Radiochemistry
  Technology Development
  Administration
  Department of Environmental and Demilitarization Technology
  Science Section
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Speech Recognition 
  Courseware and Performance Support Section
  Systems Engineering
  Network-Centric Systems
  Science & Analysis
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Spin-Stabilized Satellite Dynamics 
  Fluid Dynamics and Multiphase Flow
SQL 
  Traffic Management Systems Group
SSL (Single Station Location) 
  SIGINT Solutions Department
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
Stack Sampling/Survey/Investigation 
  Administration
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
Stack Testing--Engines 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Chemistry and Unregulated Emissions
  Fuels and Lubricants Research Division
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Stack Testing--Materials/Chemistry 
  Administration
  Administration
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
Static Balance -- Blade 
This deals with individual fan and turbine blades, typically in moment weighted sets that meet tolerance and will be assembled 180 degrees apart on the rotor disk. The sets can be pan weighted, assuming the mass center is a constant. Or moment weighted in a tooling fixture that replicates the disk assembled position.
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
Statistical Analysis 
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
Statisticians 
  Technology Development
  Lee Grant
  Aerospace Structures Section
Stealth Coatings--Materials 
  Material Development
  Program Management
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Steam Turbine--Life Assessment 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Materials Engineering Department
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
Steam Turbines 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
  Materials Engineering Department
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
Steel Specification Test 
Tensil test.
  Materials Engineering Department
Stochastic Modelling and Simulation 
  Emerging Technologies
  Manufacturing Systems Department
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
  Egnineering and Systems Assessment
  Performance Assessment Group
Stope Stability Analysis 
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
Storage Tanks--Above Ground 
Inspection/evaluation of the integrity of above gound storage tanks.
  Applied Physics Division
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Strain Gages 
  Administration
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Stratospheric Balloons 
Stratospheric Balloons
  Administration
Stress Analysis 
  Drivetrain Design and Development
  Ballistics and Explosives Engineering Section
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Aerospace Structures Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
Stress Analysis (Field) 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) 
  Mechanics and Materials Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
  Corrosion Science and Process Engineering
  Geosciences and Engineering Division
STRONTIUM-89 
ANALYSIS FOR STRONTIUM-89
  Administration
  Division Quality Assurance
  Administration
STRONTIUM-90 
ANALYSIS FOR STRONTIUM-90
  Administration
  Division Quality Assurance
  Administration
Structural Damage Assessment 
  Mechanics and Materials Section
  Administration
Structural Durability 
  Diesel Technology Section
  Computational Mechanics
  Mechanics and Materials Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
  Structural Engineering Department
Structural Dynamics 
Structural Dynamics
  Administration
Structural Geology 
  Washington Technical Support Office
  Geology and Geophysics Group
  Earth and Planetary Sciences
as relates to hydrogeologic fluid flow
  Structural Geology
Structural Health Monitoring 
Structural Health Monitoring
  Mechanics and Materials Section
Structural Noise--Aircraft 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
Structural Noise--Auto 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
Structural Reliability 
Structural Reliability
  Administration
  Mechanics and Materials Section
Structure--Field 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
Structured On-The-Job Training 
  Contract & Administration
Structures--Design, Analysis, Test 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Administration
  Mining Geotechnical and Facility Engineering
Submarine Antennas 
  Systems Engineering
  Program Management
Submersible Analysis 
Submersible Analysis
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
Submersible Depth Simulation 
Test to simulate Submersible Depth
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Submersible Fabrication 
Manned and unmanned structures and systems per internationally recognized standards. Includes novel fabrication methods and use of non-ferrous materials.
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
Submersible Fabrication
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Submersibles 
Capabilities in design, fabrication and testing of submersibles.
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Design, fabrication, testing, research and development of manned and unmanned submersible pressure vessels and systems systems per internationally recognized standards. Includes novel designs and fabrication using non-ferrous metals and propulsion methods.
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
Subsea Cables 
Perform qualification tests, external pressure tests or failure analyses on subsea/downhole electrical power/signal cables, fiber optic cables and umbilicals.
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Subsea Connectors 
Qualification/development/failure analyses of subsea and downhole hydraulic, electrical and fiber optic connectors.
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Subsea Engineering 
  Administration
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Research, development, fabrication, testing, evaluation and modeling in accordance with internationally recognized standards and development/qualification of new standards.
  Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division
Subsea Engineering and Testing (Valves, Flexible Pipe, Submersibles) 
  Test and Evaluation Section
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Subsea Fiber Optics 
SwRI performs research and development on subsea/downhole fiber optic cables and connectors. R&D efforts include hydrogen ingress/attack on cables. SwRI's work has included subsea petroleum production equipment and military hardware evaluation. SwRI also performs development/qualification tests on wet mateable fiber optic connectors in simulated subsea environments (sandy/silty seawater, with external pressure).
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Subsea Flexible Pipe 
SwRI performs structural tests on subsea flexible pipe, including collapse, burst, stiffness characterization, bending, torsion tests. SwRI also conducts materials characterization tests to evaluate the chemical compatibility and permeation of liner materials used to contain fluids in the flexible pipe. SwRI has experience conducting compatibility tests using agressive media, including, API mixtures, CO2, H2S and various hydrate and wax inhibitors.
  Marine Structures and Engineering Section
Sulfur Dioxide Removal/Oxidation 
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Fuel Systems and Contamination Research
Superabrasives 
  Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems
Superalloys 
  Materials Engineering Department
  Environmental Performance of Materials
  Failure Analysis & Technical Services
Supercritical Fluid Cleaning 
  S & P
  Applied Physics Division
Supercritical Processes/Fluids 
Use of supercritical carbon dioxide for extraction processes and the use of supercritical fluids for altering the viscosity of fluid mixtures. I have also explored the use of supercritical fluids for enhancing heat transfer.
  Chemical Engineering
  Fluids Filtration and Handling Research
Supercritical Water Oxidation/Processing 
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
Superresolution 
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
Surety 
  Environmental Engineering and Monitoring
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Materials Engineering Department
Surface Analysis--Semiconductor 
  Fluids and Machinery Engineering Department
  Structural Engineering Department
  Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses
Surface Science 
  Administration
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
Surface Tension Tests 
  Chemical Engineering
  Chemistry & Refining Process Development
  Lubricant Analysis, Administrative Staff
Surface Water Quality Modeling 
  Geology and Geophysics Group
Surveillance Systems 
Division 10 has demonstrated automated video surveillance applications based on computer vision technology. Application domains include security, incident detection, intelligent transportation systems, and human safety near machinery. Video sources include visible, near-infrared, intensified, and thermal infrared cameras. Wireless sensor networks and global control infrastructure for audio, video, RF and other parameter intercept and monitoring
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
  Robotics and Automation Engineering
  Surveillance Systems
  Tracking Systems
  Surveillance and Geolocation Department
  Staff Engineers
Suspension 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Hydraulic Vehicle Technology
  Fleet and Field Evaluations Section
Sustained Release 
  Administration
  Microencapsulation
swell/immersion testing 
Swell/immersion testing of gaskets, oil rings, etc. Testing of gaskets immersed in power steering fluid. Seal swelling tests.
  Lubricant Analysis, Administrative Staff
SwiM Program 
The SwRI Initiative on Mars (SwIM) was a focused Internal Research and Development program sponsored by the SwRI Advisory Committee for Research. The three-year program, which ended in 2005, successfully positioned SwRI to be a significant contributor to the NASA research program on the planet Mars.
  Administration
  Administration
  Administration
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses
  Earth and Planetary Sciences
Synthesis, Encapsulation and Controlled Drug Delivery 
Experience and capabilities exist for developing controlled release dosage forms based on micro- and nanoencapsulated formulation techniques and technologies. Clinical supplies can also be prepared within our GMP compliant manufacturing suites. Additional capability for process development and multikilo synthesis at up to 200 liter scale are also offered for synthesis needs.
  Administration
Synthesis--Chemical 
  Administration
  Material Development
  Department of Environmental and Demilitarization Technology
  Materials Engineering Department
Synthesis--Organic/Organometallic 
  Materials Engineering Department
  Surface Engineering and Materials Chemistry Section
  Environmental Performance of Materials
Synthetic Fuels 
  Chemical Engineering
  Administration
Synthetic Lubricants 
  Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division
  Fuels, Lubricants, and Fluids Applications
Synthetic Rope 
  Applied Physics Division
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
System Analysis 
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traffic Management Systems Group
 
System Engineering 
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Integration Support Systems Section
  Division Operations
  Administration
  Robotics and Automation Engineering
  Administration
  Network-Centric Systems
  Biomedical Engineering
  Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
  Systems Engineering
  Program Management
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
 
System Modeling 
  Emerging Technologies
System Simulation 
  Systems Engineering
  Emerging Technologies
Systems Definition and Development 
  Administration
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Division Administration
  Administration
  Network-Centric Systems
  Administration
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Administration
  Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
Systems Engineering 
Knowledge of current systems engineering processes and procedures and experience in applying them to projects. This includes processes such as system and interface definition, system resource management, design trades, FMEA and fault tree analyses, configuration management, risk management, integration and test planning, etc.
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Aerospace Systems Engineering
  Division Operations
  Administration
  Network-Centric Systems
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Biomedical Engineering
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department
  CNWRA Operations
Systems Integration 
  Administration
  Systems Engineering
  Administration
  Unmanned Systems and Sensors
  Division Administration
  Division Operations
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Administration
  Network-Centric Systems
  Administration
  Network Communications and Infrastructure Group
  Traffic Management Systems Group
  Intelligent Transportation Systems Department
  Automation and Data Systems Division
  Department of Engineering Applications and Systems Development
  Department of Electronics Systems and Robotics
  Systems Engineering
  Program Management
  Staff Engineers and Specialists
  Sensor Systems and Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Technology Department

Contact Us

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Michael Ladika


Phone: (210) 522-2122

Fax: (210) 522-3496


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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions.

April 13, 2009