Predictive Design Technologies, LLC (PDT) is a global pioneer in Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), with applications in consulting, design analysis, finite element analysis, materials processing methods, and failure analysis and is able to deliver customized solutions for complex problems for a wide variety of clients.
PDT has over 60 years of combined multiscale computational analysis that includes finite element experience related to developing large deformation plasticity-damage models, viscoelastic models, fatigue models as applied to large complex engineering components and systems, and atomistic modeling.
PDT also has over 50 years of combined experience in experimentally quantifying the structure-property relations for metals, polymers, and ceramics. With regard to metal alloys, PDT can conduct lab work and evaluate materials processing methods such as rolling, extrusion, drawing, forming, casting, and welding. PDT engineers have employed these techniques to redesign a wide variety of structural and/or thermomechanical parts.
PDT started in 2007 as a spin-off company founded by Dr. Mark Horstemeyer and Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) personnels that have international experience. CAVS started in 2002, when Dr. Mark Horstemeyer moved from Sandia National Laboratories to MSU as the CAVS Chair Professor. While at Sandia, Professor Horstemeyer conducted multiscale materials modeling on nuclear weapons and then transferred the technology to automotive components. When underground thermonuclear tests were not allowed, the reliability of the modeling and simulation had to get better and provide predictive results for nuclear materials. As result, multiscale materials modeling was born to give a very accurate predictive answer, and Professor Horstemeyer was there at the beginning.
Professor Horstemeyer’s first automotive component design was focused on a Cadillac control arm, in which he led a team of researchers using a multiscale materials modeling methodology to reduce weight of the control arm by 25%. As it turns out, the control arm also increased in strength by 50%, increased in fatigue strength by 100%, decreased in cost by $2.
Professor Horstemeyer led other teams while at MSU in reducing the weight of the Corvette cradle and engine bearing cap. He helped builtdup the CAVS team at MSU in terms of the modeling and experimental capabilities. Researchers such as Dr. Paul Wang, who worked 22 years at Alcoa moved to work at CAVS. Dr. Youssef Hammi, world leaders in finite element analysis with over 10 years of experience also moved Sandia to CAVS. Stephen Horstemeyer have worked on metallurgical analyses with over 10 years of experience. Dr. Lakiesha Williams and Dr. Raj Prabhu are experts in conducting experiments and simulations on biomedical applications.
PDT is at a place where new joint ventures and subsidiaries are being developed as the business is growing.