The University of Minnesota’s Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and the National Security Research Institute (NSRI) are pleased to announce the 2026 awardees of the NSRI Seed Grants program.
Six interdisciplinary projects have been selected 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 the next generation of researchers 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 projects were selected for 2026 funding and collectively have been awarded $570,000. Additional details and full researcher profiles can be found on the 2026 NSRI Seed Grant Awards webpage.
The Awarded Projects
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
This project uses generative AI to solve the "noise" problem in hypersonic ground testing. By creating "digital twins" that can process data in real time, the team is enabling safer, more efficient designs for vehicles traveling at more than five times the speed of sound.
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
Engineers face a major challenge when smooth air flow turns turbulent around high-speed vehicles. This project develops a scalable mathematical framework to predict these unpredictable shifts, providing the precision needed to design durable hypersonic systems that can withstand the heat and drag of real-world flight.
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 can make objects invisible to infrared sensors or protect against high-intensity radiation, but they are currently difficult to produce at scale. This team is using a unique "all-additive" printing process—similar to newspaper printing—to manufacture these high-tech surfaces by the square meter for use on armor and aircraft.
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 more crowded, tracking satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) is critical. This project turns atmospheric "drag" into data, using satellite sensors and advanced modeling to create a real-time "weather forecast" for space to prevent collisions and improve orbital precision.
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
Hypersonic vehicles often fly "blind" because their sensor windows cannot survive extreme heat. This team is creating a new class of "meta ceramics"—nanocomposites that are both indestructible and optically tunable—enabling high-resolution maneuvering at Mach 5+.
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
To eliminate reliance on "forever chemicals" (PFAS), this project uses AI and plant-based lignin to design sustainable, high-performance gaskets. These new materials are designed to match the extreme temperature and chemical resistance required for national security infrastructure and aerospace engines.