← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
Conventional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) schemes suffer from the inability to predict accurate and smooth solution gradients for fully tetrahedral unstructured elements (on the boundaries and/or within the computational domain). Adjoint error estimation, turbulence modeling and analysis, transition prediction, vorticity prediction, and surface heat flux estimation, to name a few, rely on accurate and smooth prediction of gradients. A successful outcome of this project will make a far-reaching impact on numerical methods for the Navier-Stokes equations through the entire flight regime, and dramatically changes the way flow simulations are performed today.
Reducing uncertainties in drag, heat flux (i.e., mass for space missions), turbulence, etc. predictions. Significant reduction in difficulty obtaining solutions, and substantial increase in accuracy of predicted flowfield around complex geometries.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.