About
We are Notre Dame Power & Propulsion
Notre Dame Power & Propulsion (ND P&P) is a University of Notre Dame and South Bend, Indiana-based research and development organization focused on large-scale, high-energy, high-complexity testing and leading-edge computational and analysis capabilities to develop advanced technologies for conventional and high Mach airbreathing propulsion, energy generation, advanced thermal management, and energy storage solutions.
The key to ND P&P's success is its world-class facilities, highly skilled technical staff, renowned investigators, and motivated students focused on experimental R&D. The Power & Propulsion team has expertise in aerodynamics, aeromechanics, structural dynamics, mechanical design, instrumentation, combustion, computational fluid dynamics, acoustics, and tribology. These are all key capabilities required for world-class R&D testing.
Much of the work that ND P&P has executed over the past 19 years is developing, maturing, and testing technologies critical to gas turbine engines for aero-propulsion and energy generation. Our R&D partners include the major gas turbine OEM’s, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Energy (DoE). Driven by the technology needs of its R&D partners and alignment with its core capabilities, ND P&P has recently expanded its R&D focus to the areas of high Mach airbreathing propulsion and advanced thermal management and energy storage solutions. Specifically, ND P&P developed a Ram Engine Test capability that was recently used for testing the Hermeus Chimera engine where mode transition of the Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) was successfully demonstrated. ND P&P in collaboration with FGC Plasma also developed a high Mach combustion cell for the testing of ramjet and scramjet combustion systems. Finally, ND P&P has developed a facility for testing supercritical CO2 compressors to support advanced thermal management and energy storage solutions.
ND P&P has a successful track record of executing high-energy, high-complexity R&D test programs in collaboration with its partners. ND P&P capability provides a national resource for government and industry. ND P&P also plays an important role in workforce development. ND P&P advanced degree alumni hold important technical leadership positions throughout government and industry. Additionally, its experiential-based internship program is exposing undergraduate engineering students to exciting challenges and careers in propulsion and power.
