In the world of engineering design, easy access to information is an essential part of rapid product development and design. Unlike a typical online researcher or graphic designer, the engineering designer needs fast access to 3-D images in addition to information about functionality and the rationale behind various design decisions. Popular search engines like Google and Yahoo are limited in their ability to aid design engineers because they only support text based search. At present there aren’t many options for a designer to quickly conduct searches for 3-D parts and components during the product development process.

Iktara is currently developing a new search engine for the engineering design process. This new search engine allows design engineers to search by form, function and rationale. We are developing a Windows-based software application that works in conjunction with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems to provide an end-to-end design information management tool called Design Navigator. The Design Navigator archives all the relevant design information generated during the design process and provides efficient ways of searching and retrieving the information that has been archived. The retrieval process includes visualization in virtual environments.

This is a customer-driven design solution, as the technology was developed to address a specific customer needs of the Navy. Concurrently Iktara is working with the UTS Corporation to commercialize various software modules.

The Science and Technology Roadmap

This project is concerned with S&T revitalization studies for the Navy. Our work is related to both technical and management activities. Iktara provides highly technical position papers for journal articles, presentations for various scientific, military and technology conferences and meetings. We review technologies that are of interest to the Navy and have significant local interest. Examples include energetics, energetic manufacturing, lean manufacturing, nanotechnology, mems technology, virtual environments and archiving and retrieving knowledge. Additional topics include reviewing key technologies and initiatives undertaken to revitalize S&T capabilities with the Navy Warfare Centers and demonstrating how linkages between them and Universities are at the heart of the revitalization.

In the management area Iktara is concerned with conducting a series of planning meetings, discussing partnership formations, legislative issues, economic development opportunities, and educational outreach programs that impact S&T Revitalization issues in the Navy. Finally, we gather information on the business base of R&D Centers, workforce trends etc. and compile this into an annual compendium.