Advanced Rocket Propulsion Technologies

Current rocket propulsion technology is in large part limited by the materials used in component fabrication. QuesTek Innovations is proposing this Phase I SBIR effort to utilize emerging computational design techniques to predictively design and develop an Al-based amorphous alloy that would enhance rocket propulsion through a dramatic increase in specific impulse achieved using components of revolutionary high specific strengths. Using models developed under previous DARPA-SAM funding QuesTek will efficiently survey new design concepts and rapidly determine the feasibility of bulk aluminum metallic glass. Quantum mechanical calculations will be used to define the atomic and electronic structure of liquid molecular associates and quickly predict components for optimal glass formability. QuesTek will continue to use the reduced glass transition temperature as a parametric tool to design alloys with sufficiently low critical cooling rates to achieve bulk glass formation. Wright Patterson Air Force Base has offered experimental and analytical services and will collaborate on assessing specific areas of application. QuesTek's previous experience and success in designing metallic glasses uniquely positions the company to develop an Al-based bulk metallic glass whose revolutionary high specific strength would greatly benefit the aerospace industry.