UNT's new Institute for Science and Engineering Simulation (ISES) will assist the U.S. Air Force in maintaining and extending the lifetime of its aging aircraft.

Eight UNT professors and researchers from materials science and engineering and chemistry will use modeling and simulation coupled with critical experimentation to study the causes of jet engine failure and how to build stronger, more durable engines. With two overseas wars, a far greater demand is being placed on the country's aircraft, making this a vital national safety issue.

UNT received $2.2 million this year and will receive an additional $6.36 million next year from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The funding was made possible by congressional appropriations.

This research is critical for developing a better understanding of how specific materials-related issues can help reduce the risk of catastrophic failure in aircraft parts. UNT's research will also aid the Air Force in developing better materials for future aircraft structures subjected to extreme conditions, including extremely high temperatures.

Two existing and nationally recognized centers at UNT will contribute to ISES: the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) and the Center for Advanced Scientific Computing and Modeling (CASCaM).

The research program has two parts. An experimental part involves advanced characterization (a process of determining the structure and properties of a material) of aerospace materials using the unique, state-of-the-art facilities in CART. A modeling and simulation part will explore mechanisms associated with failure of aircraft components and parts.

What is CART?

CART is a $15-million, federally-funded collection of high-powered microscopes and other imaging equipment used for characterizing materials. The center is located at UNT's Discovery Park. Nearly 30 professors and 80 students from engineering, biology, physics and chemistry use the more than two dozen machines at CART to analyze materials from the micro to atomic level.

What is CASCaM?

Initiated with support from the U.S. Department of Education, the center is a collaboration of 11 faculty members and their research groups who use advanced scientific computing to purse research, training and education projects with applications in biology, chemistry, materials science and engineering.

UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Sarah Bahari (940) 565-4835
Email: sarah.bahari@unt.edu

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