Supporting industry and research

    As rocket science and propulsion is one of the widest engineering topics, the SPLab merges several heterogeneous competences. Here you can find a list: think about the possibilities.

    For propulsion

    Rocket motors and engines

    • Development studies, diagnostics, basic research, and experimental testing  for in-space and air-breathing propulsion. 
    • Pollution and environmental impact

    High energy density materials

    • Solid propellant and solid fuel development and testing (new compositions, pollution studies, etc…).
    • Characterization of burning rate and combustion behavior.
    • Combustion, ignition, safety of fine powders (metallic and non-metallic)
    • Ageing of materials and powders (metallic and non-metallic)
    • Extinction and pressure deflagration limits of energetic materials (safety, throttling)

    For material R&D

    Powder characterization

    • Microscopy (optical / SEM)
    • Powder shape analysis with proprietary methodology
    • Powder size distribution with laser diffraction 

    Powder coating

    • Particle coating functionalization
    • Nanomaterial-based complexes

    Analysis

    • Thermal analysis (DSC/DTA/TGA) in different atmospheres till 1600 °C
    • Mechanical characterization (cooperation with AMALA-POLIMI Laboratory)
    • Ageing (different temperatures and relative humidity)

    For diagnostics

    Imaging

    • High-speed and high-resolution imaging
    • Thermal imaging
    • 2D X-ray visualizations and 3D X-ray computed tomography (XCT) with micrometric resolution (2 micron, collaboration with AMALA Laboratory)

    Monitoring

    • Micrometric temperature sensors for fast thermal response (micro-thermocouples) 
    • Ablation sensors with proprietary technique