Purdue University Northwest, through its Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation, was recently awarded a cooperative agreement from the Naval Surface Warfare Center—Crane Division to research the ability to predict the lifespan of electronic components.

The principal investigators for PNW’s proposal, Chenn Zhou, professor and CIVS director and Hansung Kim, PNW school of engineering professor, said their research using 3D modeling and simulation will help predict the lifespan of a system component in its real-time environment, as well as identify specific factors for causing or accelerating its degradation.

“Accurate prediction of component functionality over time and under changing conditions—that’s an objective both suited for and worthy of simulation and visualization investigative technologies,” Zhou said.

 The cooperative agreement with NSWC Crane provides seed-funding for the university’s research in close collaboration with the federal laboratory. Naval Surface Warfare Center—Crane Division is a naval laboratory and a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, through which NSWC Crane is responsible for full-life-cycle support of technologies and systems that enhance sustainability and capabilities for modern naval service operations.

Alison Smith, chief engineer of materials analysis of microelectronic component technologies within the flight systems division at NSWC Crane, said, “Initiatives such as the cooperative agreement program enable the NSWC Crane’s chief technology office to serve as a synergy generator, allowing the federal laboratory to access and benefit from university science and technology expertise, while supporting pioneering research for the benefit of the public.”

Purdue University Northwest’s CIVS is an applied research center that combines advanced simulation techniques with 3D visualization and virtual reality technologies to produce innovative solutions in response to real-world industrial, research, and community challenges.