NASA Phase II STTR Grant: PADT, KSU and ASU Collaboration on Bio-inspired Structures for NASA

Formnext Germany

Share this Article

Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies (PADT) will be collaborating with Arizona State University (ASU) and Kennesaw State University (KSU) in the development of stronger, more lightweight structures for space exploration. Together they have been chosen for a $755,000 NASA Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant—a continuation from the $127,000 Phase I grant awarded to PADT and ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering in August 2018.

In this joint effort, PADT, ASU, and KSU have announced in a recent press release sent to 3DPrint.com that they will be creating a simulation tool for lattice structures in aerospace vehicles. This tool is expected to assist in each phase of designing, virtually testing, and optimizing the structures, with 3D printed simulations to be 3D printed for testing prototypes in the final evaluation process. Production grade components will also be 3D printed, with the possibility for use on spacecraft.

PADT, ASU, and KSU may be deriving some of their inspiration from nature too, like so many other scientists, artists, designers, and researchers around the globe. Drawing from the example of honeycomb structures from a beehive, the team may be able to learn from the natural strength and lightweight elements, using them to create suitable shapes and spacing in lattice structures for aerospace applications. Their goal now is to create a design tool that combines properties like strength and density with the proper topology and parameter optimization necessary. Due to advancements in both science and technology today, the research team expects to design a bio-inspired geometry previously not possible with conventional methods.

“ASU has become a leader in the advancement of additive manufacturing, and we are continually discovering new ways to solve engineering challenges with this technology,” said Kyle Squires, Ph.D., dean, Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University. “The NASA Phase II STTR grant allows us to use simulation and 3D printing to explore bio-inspired structures to innovate how NASA designs and manufactures its spacecrafts.”

Ultimately, PADT also plans to market a commercial software product as a culmination of the innovative research project with ASU. They will also be responsible for including cellular material data in NASA’s PeTal platform, adding experimental results, analysis of their findings, and 3D printed metal demonstration artifacts.

“We’re proud to win this Phase II STTR because it furthers our coordination with the Fulton Schools and requires the use of our three main areas of expertise: 3D printing, simulation and product development,” said Alex Grishin, Ph.D., consulting engineer, PADT. “As an Elite ANSYS channel partner, we also have the skillset needed to embed our solution in the ANSYS simulation tool, saving a lot of time and effort. Improving aerospace innovation is always an exciting prospect, and our team is uniquely qualified to apply our expertise to develop disruptive technology for NASA.”

The new tool may also allow for the fabrication of materials like:

  • Heat shields
  • Acoustic liners
  • Space debris resistant skins
  • Lightweight panels
  • Conformal, structural heat exchangers

“This research project is a great example of government, academic institutions and the private sector working together to provide practical solutions for the space industry,” said Ji Mi Choi, associate vice president, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Arizona State University. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with NASA, PADT and KSU as we discover new ways to apply 3D printing and simulation to real-world challenges.”

This grant marks PADT’s 16th STTR/SBIR grant since it opened in 1994. To learn more about PADT, click here.

From acquiring new businesses connected with 3D printing to other enormous projects with other 3D printing industry leaders, PADT continues as a force in the engineering products and services realm, serving customers with numerical simulation, product development, and 3D printing solutions. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

[Source / Images: PADT press release]


Share this Article


Recent News

The Dental Additive Manufacturing Market Could Nearly Double by 2033, According to AM Research

Reinventing Reindustrialization: Why NAVWAR Project Manager Spencer Koroly Invented a Made-in-America 3D Printer



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

Featured

Heating Up: 3D Systems’ Scott Green Discusses 3D Printing’s Potential in the Data Center Industry

The relentless rise of NVIDIA, the steadily increasing pledges of major private and public investments in national infrastructure projects around the world, and the general cultural obsession with AI have...

Formlabs Teams Up with DMG MORI in Japan

In late June, Nick Graham, Chief Revenue Officer at Formlabs, announced on LinkedIn that the company had partnered with DMG MORI, one of the world’s leading machine tool companies, to...

Featured

EOS in India: AM’s Rising Star

EOS is doubling down on India. With a growing base of aerospace startups, new government policies, and a massive engineering workforce, India is quickly becoming one of the most important...

3D Printing News Briefs, June 25, 2025: R&D Materials, 3D Printed Veneers, & More

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, 3DXTECH has launched a program that gives customers early access to experimental materials, and the first Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 in the Czech Republic...