CFD Modernization

Propulsion applications require time-accurate simulations with increasing numbers of chemical species, larger reaction mechanisms, real fluid equations of state, and multiphase fluid systems. Over the past few decades, MSFC has driven the development of unique CFD tools and expertise in applying these tools for the most difficult fluid dynamics problems. The rapid increase in computational power has been met by increasing reliance on simulations with more physical fidelity. Achieving the theoretical performance improvements for Graphics Processing Unit architectures would require complete reformulation of existing CFD tools. This effort is a step to implement GPU improvements in Loci-based solvers.

• Achieve theoretical performance improvements of existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) improvements for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technologies at Glenn Research Center (GRC)

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.