Awards: National Security Research Institute Seed Grants

The National Security Research Institute (NSRI) Seed Grant program is an interdisciplinary initiative designed to catalyze innovative research that addresses high-priority national security challenges. By supporting early-stage concepts in strategic areas like hypersonics and materials for extreme environments, these awards foster critical partnerships between the University, industry, and government while preparing students for the national security workforce. Significantly, several of the selected projects aim to solve complex challenges and develop breakthroughs that have an impact well beyond the field of national security. 

The following are brief descriptions of the projects selected for the NSRI seed grants program in 2026. Six projects received a total of $570,000 in funding for one year.

2026 Awards

Generative Bayesian Learning for Real-Time Inference of Hypersonic Flowfields

Principal Investigator: Anabel del Val, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, College of Science and Engineering   
Co-Principal Investigator: Qizhi He, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, College of Science and Engineering 

Designing vehicles that travel at hypersonic speeds—more than five times the speed of sound—requires incredibly complex data to understand how the air flows around such hypersonic vehicles. Currently, researchers face a major hurdle: the data from ground tests is "noisy" or incomplete, and the computational models required to bridge those gaps are also not well-understood and often too computationally expensive for real-time use. This project aims to revolutionize this process by using generative AI to speed up complex mathematical "inverse” problems in the presence of uncertainty. By creating smarter, faster ways to process data, the team is developing the foundation for "digital twins"—virtual models that can react instantly to uncertain environments—enabling safer, more efficient designs for the next generation of high-speed flight.

This interdisciplinary collaboration bridges the gap between advanced uncertainty quantification, machine learning and aerospace engineering. The framework developed here will not only advance national security and aerospace technology but also offer new solutions for complex design problems in fields like microelectronics and materials science.

Scalable Stochastic Transition Prediction for Flight-Relevant Hypersonic Flows

Principal Investigator: Anubhav Dwivedi, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, College of Science and Engineering
Collaborator: Graham Candler, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, College of Science and Engineering

When a vehicle travels at hypersonic speeds, the thin layer of air flowing over its surface can suddenly transform from a smooth stream into a chaotic, turbulent mess. This "transition" is a major headache for engineers because it sharply increases heat and drag, which can threaten the vehicle's structural integrity. Currently, predicting this dramatic change is difficult because real-world flight is full of random disturbances—like wind tunnel noise or atmospheric turbulence—that standard models often ignore. This project is developing a new, scalable mathematical framework that accounts for these unpredictable, "stochastic" environments.

By creating more realistic physics-based models for complex 3D shapes, the team aims to provide the precision needed to design safer, more durable hypersonic systems for national security. Alongside its technical objectives, the project emphasizes workforce development by training doctoral students in the advanced computational skills needed to lead the future of the American aerospace industry. Furthermore, the ability to accurately predict and mitigate transition carries significant dual-use benefits, enabling more energy-efficient designs that reduce operational costs through drag minimization across aerospace and consumer applications.

Design and Scalable Manufacturing of Large Area Electromagnetic Metasurfaces for Defense

Principal Investigator: Vivian Ferry, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, College of Science and Engineering
Principal Investigator: C. Daniel Frisbie, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, College of Science and Engineering

Metasurfaces are thin, engineered materials covered in microscopic patterns that allow for unprecedented control over light and heat. These surfaces can be designed to be transparent to the eye while remaining invisible to infrared sensors, or to provide advanced protection against high-intensity radiation. While the potential for these materials is vast—ranging from thermal camouflage and high-precision imaging to advanced eye protection—they are currently difficult and expensive to produce at a large scale. This project aims to change that by using a unique "all-additive" manufacturing process developed at the University of Minnesota. By utilizing high-speed, roll-to-roll printing techniques similar to industrial newspaper printing, the team is working to create these high-tech surfaces by the square meter, making them affordable and flexible enough to be applied to protective shields, vehicle frames, and other equipment.

This project utilizes the University’s specialized pilot-scale printing lines to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale discovery and real-world manufacturing. In addition to the technical breakthroughs, the project is dedicated to workforce development by training doctoral students in the cutting-edge fields of optical design and large-area manufacturing.

Real-time mapping of thermospheric mass density for reliable space domain awareness

Principal Investigator: Maziar S. Hemati, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, College of Science and Engineering
Principal Investigator: Tom E. Schwartzentruber, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, College of Science and Engineering

As space becomes increasingly crowded, keeping track of satellites in "Very Low Earth Orbit" (VLEO)—altitudes below 400km—is more important than ever. However, even at these heights, a thin layer of the Earth's atmosphere exists, creating "drag" that can knock a satellite off its predicted path. This project aims to turn that drag into a source of useful data. By combining measurements from a satellite’s own motion sensors with advanced models of how air molecules interact with its surface, the research team is developing a way to map the density of the upper atmosphere in real-time. These maps will act like a high-tech weather forecast for space, allowing operators to predict satellite orbits with much higher precision and avoid potential collisions.

The project team’s work bridges the gap between high-level aerodynamics and satellite operations to improve how we monitor the space environment. To ensure these tools can be used in practical flight systems, the team is working toward collaborations with industry leaders. By creating a clearer picture of the space environment, this project supports the long-term safety and reliability of both commercial and defensive satellite constellations.

Extreme Refractive Index Ceramic Nanocomposites for Hypersonics

Principal Investigator: Uwe Kortshagen, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering
Co-Principal Investigator: Ognjen Ilic, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering
Co-Principal Investigator: David Poerschke, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, College of Science and Engineering

At speeds exceeding Mach 5, hypersonic vehicles face a challenging "vision" problem: the materials used for their sensor windows must be clear enough to see through yet tough enough to withstand intense heat and pressure. Most current materials require a trade-off—they either blur the sensor’s view or crack under the thermal stress of high-speed flight. This project aims to solve this problem by creating a new class of "meta ceramics." By combining specialized silicon and silicon oxide nanoparticles with high-strength silicon nitride, the research team is developing a nanocomposite that is both incredibly durable and optically "tunable." This allows for the creation of sensor windows that can stay clear and sharp even in the harshest environments, enabling much higher precision for maneuvering and targeting at extreme speeds.

By utilizing unique manufacturing techniques pioneered at the University of Minnesota—such as nonthermal plasma synthesis—the project team is not only developing next-generation materials for agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense but also training doctoral students in the advanced materials science skills needed for the future of aerospace technology.

Development of PFAS-Free Elastomeric Gasket Materials Matching or Exceeding M25988 Fluorosilicone Performance for Extreme Environments

Principal Investigator: Xiaowen Chen, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Co-Principal Investigator: Zhongjin Zhou, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

From aerospace engines to critical infrastructure, specialized gaskets and seals are essential for keeping high-performance systems running in extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments. Traditionally, these components have relied on fluorosilicones, which contain "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. As global regulations on PFAS increase, there is an urgent need for sustainable alternatives that can match the rigorous performance of traditional materials without the environmental risks. This project uses an innovative AI-guided design approach to develop PFAS-free rubber materials that can withstand temperatures ranging from -65°C to 260°C while remaining resistant to fuels and oils. By incorporating modified lignin—a natural, sustainable byproduct of plants—the team is creating high-performance seals that meet strict military specifications while ensuring a safer environment.

This interdisciplinary effort combines advanced data science with sustainable materials engineering to ensure that future systems are both high-performing and environmentally responsible. While vital for national security, these materials are designed for broad translation to non-military sectors, including chemical processing, energy systems, and automotive manufacturing. By providing a roadmap for replacing PFAS in industrial sealing technologies, this research helps various commercial sectors meet stringent new environmental standards while maintaining the durability required for high-pressure and high-temperature operations.