NPSS 3.3 offers new interfaces, features and data types to enhance model and component development times, supporting turbomachinery, air-breathing propulsion systems and hybrid electric systems. The software now includes FFI integration with external functions and built-in support for .CSV file format exports.
The SwRI MST 8x8 probe uses guided-wave technology to detect corrosion in storage tanks with exceptional accuracy. It reduces expensive downtime by allowing inspections without emptying the tank, improving inspection safety in hazardous spaces.
Southwest Research Institute expands manufacturing capabilities to produce safer antidotes to organophosphorus nerve agents and pesticides. The new technique avoids cancer-causing compounds during synthesis of oxime antidotes, supporting kilogram-scale manufacturing for domestic supply and reducing supply chain risks.
A new tool developed by Southwest Research Institute and National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance. The PINNBARDS framework connects surface observations of solar active regions to deep solar magnetic dynamics, offering potential for su...
Southwest Research Institute is developing a comprehensive Product Lifecycle Management system to store and organize decades of scattered records and data for the US Air Force. The system aims to improve aircraft efficiency and safety by using data, modeling, and analytics to perform repairs and maintenance before problems occur.
Southwest Research Institute's Metering Research Facility has received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, confirming compliance with international testing and calibration standards. The facility offers highly specialized calibration services to energy sector clients using its recirculating natural gas flow lab.
Dr. Stephen Fuselier, a renowned heliophysicist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, has been appointed vice president of SwRI's Space Science Division. He brings over four decades of experience in space science to lead the division.
Dr. Barron Bichon has been promoted to vice president of SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division, overseeing a team of over 400 staff members. He will lead the division in advancing additive manufacturing and composite material bonding for defense and aerospace applications.
Dr. Ben Thacker has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), directing its technical divisions and internal research program. Under his leadership, the institute aims to strengthen its operational foundation to support innovation.
A new study by SwRI's Roman G. Gomez details the effectiveness of using popular culture, such as anime, to teach science and technology concepts. The study found that 67% of attendees reported increased accessibility and interest in STEM after participating in
A new international study finds that Io and Europa's contrasting water makeup was established at birth, contradicting the idea that it evolved over time. The research suggests that Io formed from dry materials and Europa accreted from ice-rich building blocks.
Dr. Michael Davis, an astrophysicist at Southwest Research Institute, has been recognized by SPIE as a Fellow for his work on space instruments and UV imaging. He is the optics and detector scientist for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Juno mission to Jupiter.
Researchers tested large-scale roofing assemblies with mounted PV solar panels, exposing the leading edge to flame and crosswind to understand fire hazards. The study aims to update building codes and fire mitigation protocols for commercial and industrial solar panel installations.
Dr. Alan Stern, a renowned planetary scientist, has been recognized by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) for his pioneering contributions to space science and technology. His leadership on the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt is notable.
Southwest Research Institute has upgraded its nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) laboratory to provide robust chemical analysis of organic compounds used in drug discovery and development. The new facility enables rapid and cost-effective analysis using qNMR, which can be more efficient than HPLC for certain applications.
The UVS instrument collected data on the comet's composition, including oxygen, hydrogen, and dust-related features. The unique sunward viewpoint provided a downstream view of the comet's tails, allowing researchers to gain insights into its geometries.
The CoDICE instrument has successfully collected first-light data from IMAP, measuring energized particles from interstellar space, the solar wind, and solar energetic particles. This will provide a better understanding of our place in the universe by studying the interaction between the interstellar medium and the solar wind.
The PUNCH mission has made significant advancements in imaging the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind. The spacecraft has tracked enormous coronal mass ejections, providing a unique view of space weather events and their impact on our planet.
Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX will evaluate new technology and existing infrastructure for a hydrogen-powered future. The projects, conducted at SwRI's Metering Research Facility, aim to improve energy infrastructure and support the use of clean-burning fuel.
A recent study analyzed Apollo-era samples to understand how space weathering affects lunar surface materials and their far-ultraviolet reflectance. The research provided valuable insights into the evolution of the lunar surface, enabling better interpretation of remote sensing data from lunar missions.
Researchers will examine protein stability mechanisms in Thermus thermophilus to advance treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and cancer. The team will explore the structure of Rieske proteins and their role in energy production to understand how to restore stability.
Researchers at SwRI and Trinity University are working on a new prodrug to mitigate ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), which causes permanent cellular and tissue damage. The team aims to protect against IRI by targeting protein misfolding during cellular stress.
Researchers are formulating and evaluating an intranasal oxytocin delivery system to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project aims to enhance the efficacy and palatability of existing treatments, expanding on prior research that explored using oxytocin to treat alcoholism.
A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.
Researchers theorize that solar wind storms drove Voyager 2's observations of extreme radiation on Uranus. They suggest a co-rotating interaction region passing through the system could have fueled powerful high-frequency waves.
The upgraded facility enables efficient testing of equipment moving heavy oils, addressing the growing need for advanced gas separation technologies. SwRI's expanded High-Viscosity Flow Loop offers a more comprehensive solution, allowing for cost-effective and efficient testing of pumps in extremely viscous conditions.
The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has launched a new laboratory to investigate the chemical origins of planetary systems. The Nebular Origins of the Universe Research Laboratory aims to connect pre-planetary evolution to planetary formation, filling key data gaps in understanding the solar system's early history.
Researchers at SwRI have developed a reliable testing methodology to study stochastic pre-ignition in hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. The methodology provides insight into lubricant-initiated pre-ignition events and supports further work on mitigation strategies and commercial lubricants.
Researchers at SwRI discovered a security vulnerability in the Signal Level Attenuation Characterization (SLAC) protocol used in electric vehicle-to-grid communications. The team successfully modeled and replicated a machine-in-the-middle attack that could manipulate or halt EV charging processes.
The new facility can test thermal performance of heat exchangers and cooling equipment up to five megawatts, supporting the growing $30 billion data center cooling industry. SwRI offers customized testing services, including coolant distribution units and secondary side pumps, and replicates real-world conditions.
The upgraded engine features a state-of-the-art turbocharger, increasing peak torque from 1,494 to 1,760-foot pounds and peak power from 370 to 440 horsepower. The engine's peak efficiency has also improved to 44.0%, class-leading for a spark-ignited engine.
Southwest Research Institute uses machine learning to automate calibration of heavy-duty diesel truck emissions control systems, cutting calibration time from weeks to hours. The new method improves system performance while ensuring compliance with upcoming standards.
The upgraded facility enables testing of hydrogen-natural gas blends, exploring effects on pipeline systems and flow measurement technologies. SwRI aims to demonstrate the process needed to upgrade natural gas infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen, supporting efforts to decarbonize industries.
Scientists at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have successfully replicated induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) using a new application of their cell-expansion bioreactor. The bioreactor's unique geometry allows for the growth of large quantities of iPSCs, which can differentiate into any other cell type in the body.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will predict F-16 landing gear component lifespan and recommend maintenance improvements under a $9.9 million contract. The seven-year agreement leverages SwRI's aging aircraft expertise in probabilistic analysis, fatigue testing.
Dr. Bueno, a lead engineer at SwRI's Computational Mechanics Section, has been recognized for his work on supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamics, turbulence, and renewable energy. He developed patented heat storage systems and advanced optical diagnostic imaging tools to study high-speed flows.
A new power generation system using liquid oxygen storage has been patented by SwRI and 8 Rivers, aiming to make power plants more efficient and cost-effective. The system utilizes fluctuations in energy demand by generating pure oxygen during off-peak hours, which can then be stored and used later when prices are higher.
Dr. Chris Thomas recognized for technical excellence and leadership in combustion technologies, including propulsion systems and battery safety. His research has led to significant contributions to the field of blast physics and lithium-ion battery safety.
Dr. Glein will discuss Enceladus' deep ocean beneath its icy surface, which contains organic molecules and nutrients needed for life. The Saturn moon's ocean erupts into space, forming a towering plume with constant activity, making it a promising place for life.
The NASA IMAP mission aims to explore the boundary of the heliosphere, where solar material collides with interstellar space. The SwRI-developed CoDICE sensor will measure the distribution and composition of interstellar pickup ions.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has completed its Center for Accelerating Materials and Processes (CAMP) facility, enabling faster production of high-speed propulsion systems. The new facility will focus on demonstrating more efficient techniques for manufacturing these systems.
Researchers will evaluate a patent-pending electrolyzer in simulated partial gravity environments aboard parabolic flights. The technology is designed to produce fuel, oxygen, and other life support compounds on the Moon or Mars for long-term human habitation.
The SwRI-built Solar Wind Plasma Sensor (SWiPS) and Space Weather Follow-On Magnetometer (SWFO-MAG) will capture real-time data on solar wind and magnetic field changes to monitor space weather phenomena. This data will support NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and help predict potential impacts on Earth's magnetic field.
Researchers are developing a detection system to identify pre-ignitions in hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) using machine learning algorithms and onboard sensors. The project aims to address the challenges associated with H2-ICE pre-ignition, which can degrade engine performance and compromise its mechanical integrity.
Researchers are developing a novel smart coating to enable continuous monitoring of cells during CAR T-cell production, reducing production costs. The biosensor coating is expected to reduce human errors and costs associated with existing flow cytometry methods.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has installed a private 5G network to boost security, eliminate dependency on outside mobile networks, and expand off-site capabilities for advanced 5G projects. The secure network supports various 5G advancements, including cybersecurity research, drone technology, and antenna development.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team has detected methane gas on Makemake using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The discovery suggests that Makemake may have a dynamic atmosphere where methane ice is evolving, indicating activity or tenuous atmosphere.
The Copeland oil-free centrifugal compressor with Aero-lift bearing technology has been recognized as one of the most significant innovations of 2025 by R&D World Magazine. This frictionless, oil-free compressor delivers improvements in full-load efficiency and is compatible with lower global warming potential refrigerants.
A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) study proposes a mission to fly by an interstellar comet, providing insights into its properties. The mission aims to determine the comet's physical and compositional properties, as well as its nature of coma.
Researchers developed a reliable and affordable purification technique for chromatography using calcium chloride, applying to organic compounds like amines and peptides. The technique has shown promising results in purifying APIs with high accuracy.