Material System Design Tool to Enable Functionally Graded Materials

The Department of Defense, specifically the Navy, is seeking proposals for the development of an Integrated Computational Material Engineering (ICME)-based material system design tool aimed at facilitating the fabrication of multi-material functionally graded materials (FGMs). The primary objective is to create a robust analytical tool that can optimize the design of FGMs, addressing material compatibility, buffer material selection, and the prediction of transition zone thicknesses to enhance mechanical performance and environmental protection for aircraft components. This initiative is critical as it aims to leverage additive manufacturing technologies to produce complex components that meet stringent performance requirements, ultimately benefiting both military and commercial aerospace applications. Interested parties should note that the solicitation will be released on December 4, 2024, with applications due by February 5, 2025, and can find more information at the official DOD SBIR/STTR website.