Mesoscale Framework for Multi-Physics Simulation of Ablative Thermal Protection Systems

The project goal is to develop a state-of-the-art quantitative tool to predict the performance of Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) thermal protection systems (TPS) at the mesoscale. The tool will also predict the evolution of the thermomechanical properties of the material during operation. It will employ the phase field method coupled with heat conduction and solid mechanics and will be developed using the open source Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE). Our tool will be used to investigate the impact of PICA microstructure on TPS performance, providing results to inform the development of more mechanistic materials models for macroscale TPS codes. The physical models and parameters required by the mesoscale tool will be provided by a judicious combination of experimental data and atomic-level simulations.

The project goal is to develop a state-of-the-art quantitative tool to predict the performance of Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) thermal protection systems (TPS) at the mesoscale. The tool will also predict the evolution of the thermomechanical properties of the material during operation. Our tool will be used to investigate the impact of PICA microstructure on TPS performance, providing results to inform the development of more mechanistic materials models for macroscale TPS codes.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.