Multifunctional Materials and Structures
Abstract
The Multifunctional Materials and Structures thrust is developing materials, materials processing, and structures that are explicitly tailored for multiple functions and/or unique mechanical properties. One goal of this research is the ability to design, develop and demonstrate materials with combinations of properties that are normally orthogonal (e.g. damage tolerance and biocompatibility). This capability will ultimately lead to enhanced lethality, survivability and performance in future DoD platforms. This thrust will also include the exploration and development of dynamic models of complex systems across scale and develop new methodologies for understanding, architecting and engineering complex systems. These computational tools will link material properties to physics across multiple length scales (from molecule to part) and provide the ability to model and exploit complexity, such as hierarchy and strongly correlated effects, in structural and functional materials. Development efforts under this thrust include reactive structures that can serve as both structure and explosive for lightweight munitions, novel materials and surfaces that are designed to adapt structural or functional properties to environmental and/or tactical threat conditions, and new thin film material deposition processes to improve the performance of surface dominated properties (friction, wear, and membrane permeability). In addition, this thrust will also explore new cost effective processes for ensuring DoD accessibility to future advanced materials. Examples of DoD applications that will benefit from these material developments include lower weight and higher performance aircraft, turbines with enhanced efficiency, erosion-resistant rotor blades, and high-temperature materials for operation in hypersonic environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 68638d833c30ec0c86a0108e7bec4b9d