Professors Francisco Torres Herrador and Yanxing Wang from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (NSWC-JHTO) for their project, Tomography and Boltzmann Lattice Exploration (TABLE).
This research will focus on developing a methodology to characterize the permeability of fibrous porous materials using advanced numerical simulations. The team will employ micro-computed tomography (μCT) to capture high-resolution 3D images of the materials, followed by an AI-driven segmentation technique to extract geometric details. Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), researchers will then simulate fluid flow through these structures to study pressure drops and determine permeability characteristics.
Beyond its research implications, this project also emphasizes undergraduate student involvement in high-level engineering applications. Students will engage in various stages of the project, from image processing and AI-driven segmentation to computational fluid simulations using both in-house and open-source software. The hands-on experience will equip them with valuable skills in numerical methods, material characterization, and computational modeling—critical for careers in aerospace and hypersonics research.
“This project not only advances research in porous material research but also fosters a unique learning environment for students, giving them direct experience with cutting-edge experimental and computational tools,” said Torres-Herrador.
The one-year project is expected to begin in September 2025. Stay tuned for updates as the team progresses in their research and student training efforts.
