PoliMi Advisor: S. Carlotti

Availability: 1/2 candidate(s)

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

The activity will focus on the development of innovative methodologies to enhance the structural strength of 3D-printed catalysts. In particular, the candidate will employ DLP printing and will investigate:

• different types of ceramic powders for catalyst printing, performing a trade-off analysis in terms of printability and cost, with the aim of identifying an alternative to alumina to be studied;
• methods to improve the structural strength of alumina-based printed components through the use of doping additives and innovative processing methodologies;
• mechanical strength characterization studies of the resulting catalysts;
• lab-scale decomposition studies for the most promising catalyst formulations.

Requirements: full-time presence in the laboratory; background in propulsion.

PoliMi Advisor: S. Carlotti

Availability: 2 candidate

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

The activity will focus on the development of hybrid surrogate models for fast and accurate design of pressure-fed upper stages by integrating uncertainty quantification (UQ) techniques within Neural Network (NN) models. An initial phase will consist of a detailed literature review aimed at identifying and analyzing different approaches for embedding UQ directly into neural networks. The most promising method(s) will then be implemented and evaluated, and their performance will be compared against a baseline exploiting a classical external Monte Carlo analysis. The main objective of the activity is the development of predictive and design capabilities for pressure-fed propulsion systems, explicitly accounting for aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty distributions affecting design and optimization parameters. The dataset required for training and validation will be generated using an internal optimization code, which enables the simultaneous optimization of the propulsion system and the stage inboard profile, with the goal of minimizing both the dry mass of the system and the propellant mass for a given DV budget.

Requirements: background in propulsion; proficiency in programming is highly desirable (Work will be carried out using Matlab/Python).

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi

Co-Advisor: Jacopo Domaschio, Christian Paravan, Stefania Carlotti

Starting date: as soon as possible

Availability: 1 candidate (+1 already selected)

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

Satellite demise can be enhanced if energetic reactions are introduced in key components or positions. Within a European project, this solution is under investigation. The candidates will take part to the R&D activities regarding the development of these energetic charges, shaped for the use in satellites. The target of the activity consists of obtaining charges with mechanical consistency and capable of igniting within ranges of temperature, imposed by project requirements.

The work will target characterization of charges in different conditions. Experiments will be conducted mainly at SPLab premises and, in some cases, in cooperation with the company ReActive Powder Technology (Peschiera Borromeo). 

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi / co-advisors S. Carlotti, A.N. Lucarno

Starting date: now

Availability: 1/2 candidates

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

Additive manufacturing based on extrusion deposition and UV curing is an innovative technology able to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional cast-cure production technique, fostering a greener and more flexible process. Recent studies demonstrated the feasibility of this manufacturing technology, but further works are still required to optimize it. Specifically, the photocurable binder is a key component of the propellant, that highly influences both the UV-curing and the extrusion phases, besides affecting grain properties. Therefore, the development of an optimized formulation is required.

An approach based on a thiol-ene curing mechanism is currently under investigation. The aim of this thesis is to find the most suitable binder formulation (in terms of constituents, amounts and production method) for this specific application. Characterization of chemical and mechanical properties of the cured material is required. The integration of additives for binder property modification is another essential step.

The thesis is experimental and requires full time engagement, in presence.

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi

Starting date: September 2026

Availability: 1 candidate

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

Within the European project THREAD, the SPLab is studying a new way to control the disintegration of satellites during their atmospheric reentry, using energetic charges. Ignition happens spontaneously and transfers heat to the target object.

The SPLab has developed a simple reentry code where this event is modeled through a low-fidelity point-mass approach. inside this projecy, the student will use and extend the code and will develop parametric studies to understand the connection between reentry path, thermite ignition, and satellite consumption. Statistical approaches will be mostly used.

Python coding will be required. Its preliminary knowledge is preferred but not mandatory.

PoliMi Advisor: S. Carlotti

Availability: 2 candidate

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

The thesis focuses on the development of a robust MDO framework to effectively support the design of reusable launch vehicle systems. Starting from Falcon 9 as a reference baseline, the developed methodology and tools will enable the investigation of optimal design solutions considering different propellant combinations, launch vehicle sizes (i.e., payload classes), and mission architectures, by exploring different optimization techniques. The thesis will need to develop a robust methodology to integrate performance, mass, reusability, and operational constraints, and will analyze environmental impact metrics.

Requirements: background in propulsion; proficiency in Matlab programming is highly desirable.

PoliMi Advisor: S. Carlotti, F. Ghioldi

Availability: 1 candidate

Location: hybrid

The project focuses on porting a hybrid Volume of Fluid (VOF) to Discrete Parcel Method (DPM) transition model from legacy OpenFOAM versions to the current ESI-OpenCFD release. This multiscale approach captures the primary atomization of liquid cores (VOF) and converts detached ligaments into Lagrangian particles (DPM) for computational efficiency. A key objective is to transition the current incompressible framework toward a compressible formulation. This work is critical for aerospace propulsion as it enables the high-fidelity simulation of fuel spray formation in rocket and gas turbine engines. Accurate liquid-to-gas transition modeling is the cornerstone for predicting combustion efficiency and thermal loads in high-pressure environments.

Requirements: background in fluid mechanics and numerical modeling; knowledge of multiphase flow physics and proficiency in C++ programming are highly desirable.

PoliMi Advisor: S. Carlotti, F. Ghioldi

Availability: 1 candidate

Location: hybrid

This thesis involves applying Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT) to investigate liquid fuel penetration within specific aerospace engine configurations. The candidate will utilize a proprietary OpenFOAM breakup model that couples the Huh-Gosman atomization approach with Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) and Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability mechanisms. Numerical results will be validated against high-quality experimental data provided by the Space Propulsion Laboratory (SPLab) at Politecnico di Milano. This research is vital for the design of next-generation aerospace combustors, where optimizing liquid penetration and mixing is essential for achieving stable combustion, reducing pollutant emissions, and ensuring engine reignition capabilities at high altitudes.

Requirements: Fundamental knowledge of Aerospace Propulsion and Heat Transfer; experience with OpenFOAM (Lagrangian solvers preferred).; interest in experimental-numerical correlation and data analysis; basic understanding of liquid instability theories (KH, RT).

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi and S. Carlotti

Availability: 2 candidates 

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

A new water propulsion technology is under developments at the SPLab. Currently, activities have created and consolidated the fundalmentals of the technology. Now, it is the moment of experimental testing and of modeling. The thesis is conceived for 2 students. The candidates will assist the SPLab team in developing and assembling the first propulsion prototype, preparing a small test bench inside one of the vacuum chambers available at POLIMI premises. Instrumentation of the apparatus will serve to validate a model of the propulsion module. 

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi

Availability: up to 5 candidates in three groups (chech below for details)

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

Solid propulsion is typically associated with the emission of chlorine molecules in the plume exhaust. These molecules are associated to different types of environmental impact, from stratosperic ozone depletion to acidification of soil and groundwater. 

The SPLab will challenge this problem within a new ESA project looking at ways to reduce the impact of solid propellants. The project will touch different aspects. 

• Testing new formulations, collecting pollutants at lab-scale and conceiving some method to work at small scale (rocket).
• Working on the estimation of the impact through innovative life cycle analysis methods.

The work is wide and integrated across 2/3 different working groups, giving the students a complete understanding of the mechanisms of pollution and its mitigation, and of testing at different scales.  

Given the challenging coordination, the activity is open to students that have at most 2/3 exams left and can grant a continuing availability. The exam of Space Propulsion (6 or 10 credits) is requested.

The areas of activity are: 

• (ASSIGNED) Development of formulation and collection of reaction residues (1/2 students)
• (ASSIGNED) Evaluation of different gaseous/solid collection methods from plume and preliminary design (1/2 student)
• (ASSIGNED) Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of a space product – solid propulsion system – and comparison of effects generated by different compositions (1 student) 

PoliMi Advisor: F. Maggi

Availability: 1 candidates

Location: SPLab (POLIMI)

Solid propellants are heterogeneous materials. Knowing the microscopic nature allows to predict and understand its macroscopic properties, used for design and manufacturing. This is a great challenge of quality control, mainly in a moment where additive manufacturing and micro-propulsion are becoing interesting fields for solid propulsion.  

Solid propellant microstructure can be analyzed through X Ray computed micro-tomography, using specific algorithms developed on purpose, for feature extraction. The student will challenge this specific aspect: understanding how microstructure can be different in sample production, and how it can be characterized numerically and quantitatively. 

Coding capacity in Matlab / C / Python is welcome, but not mandatory at the beginning. The student will need to develop coding skills to manage large datasets through parallel computation (the use of OpenMP or OpenMPI is planned).