The results obtained through the proposed research will result in a considerably better understanding of the fundamental science of directional solidification and structure-propertyprocessing…

Northeastern University was awarded a $653,750 grant by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center to conduct research on directional solidification and structure-property relationships in water and tert-butyl alcohol-water solvent systems. The research results will further the understanding of fundamental directional solidification science and processing-structure correlations in these two solvent systems. Northeastern University will contribute raw and analyzed data and computational models to the NASA Physical Sciences Informatics to make the data accessible globally in support of the Materials Genome Initiative. The research aims to provide new strategies for custom materials design through control of hierarchical architecture, with examples including lightweight yet strong and tough materials for applications in space systems, biomedical, buildings, transportation, energy generation and storage. Insights gained may also enable development of manufacturing processes for use in extraterrestrial environments like Mars using local resources. The period of performance for the research is through January 31, 2025. There is no set-aside designation for this award made to Northeastern University, with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts listed as the parent organization.

The results obtained through the proposed research will result in a considerably better understanding of the fundamental science of directional solidification and structure-propertyprocessing correlations in two solvent systems: water and TBA-waters. By contributing raw and analyzed data, and computational models to the NASA physical sciences informatics we will make the data accessible to the global community, in support of the materials genome initiative and to help translate fundamental research into application for an accelerated pace of advancedmaterials discovery, innovation, manufacture, and commercialization. Having gained a better understanding of the freeze casting process, the material science community will be provided with new and additional strategies for the custom design of materials with unprecedented combinations obtained through the control of their hierarchical architecture. Examples are lightweight, yet, strong and tough materials that are required for a great range of structural and functional applications in space systems and on earth in diverse strategic fields that range from biomedical, to buildings, transportation and energy generation or storage. A better understanding of the fundamental science of directional solidification and its engineering application might also enable the development of manufacturing processes for use in environments other than earth, such as on mars, for example, possibly using local resources.