SBIR-STTR Award

Simulation of Multiphase Interactions in Reactive Structural Materials
Award last edited on: 7/23/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$899,999
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF171-082
Principal Investigator
Grant D Smith

Company Information

Wasatch Molecular Inc

825 North 300 West Suite W003
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
   (801) 673-7452
   info@wasatchmolecular.com
   www.wasatchmolecular.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 02
County: Salt Lake

Phase I

Contract Number: FA8651-17-P-0102
Start Date: 8/16/2017    Completed: 5/18/2018
Phase I year
2017
Phase I Amount
$149,999
We propose to develop methods/models/algorithms that allow for simulation of multiphase blast events in composite energetic devices (CEDs) comprised of reactive structural materials (RSMs) and PBXs. These tools will treat microscale, mesoscale and macro

Phase II

Contract Number: FA8651-18-C-0061
Start Date: 8/16/2018    Completed: 8/16/2020
Phase II year
2018
Phase II Amount
$750,000
In Phase I we demonstrated implementation of simplified but reasonable physical models for mechanics, transport, damage/failure and multiphase chemical reactions for selected reactive structural materials (RSMs) in a multiscale simulation framework, allowing for the prediction of the behavior of RSMs and RSM-based devices under a range of loading conditions.Phase II efforts will concentrate on identifying the most important physical models/parameters controlling behavior of RSMs, and the additional development and extensive experimental validation of these models needed for rigorous transformation of microscopic properties into statistical models for use in simulations of RSMs at the engineering scale.This transformation is carried out through mesoscale simulations of RSMs that accurately capture the microstructure of the materials and the properties of all phases and interfaces, allowing development of homogenized models for the prediction of mechanical, transport, damage/failure and chemical response of the RSM to loading conditions of interest.These modeling efforts will be directed toward Al/Mg/Zr and Al/fluoropolymer RSMs and the optimization of their formulation and microstructure in the context of several loading scenarios.Device configuration and geometry will also be optimized for these scenarios as resources allow.Collaboration with experimentalists will play an important role in demonstrating this "Materials by Design" paradigm.