Engineering Technician

CFD Research awarded $6.6 million DARPA contract to harness microsystems & biocatalysts for catalysis-based synthesis. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. CFD Research Corporation, in partnership with The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), has been awarded a $6.6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to support the Microsystems Induced Catalysis (MICA) program, which seeks to develop microsystems that can precisely control molecular catalytic activity. The award recognizes CFD Research's leadership in delivering the theoretical, computational, and modeling foundation required to guide complex experimental efforts across the MICA research ecosystem, while UAH contributes deep expertise in biological sciences, atomistic modeling, and experimental insight critical to understanding how molecular catalysts behave in real-world microsystems. Together, the teams will integrate theory, computation, and experiment to accelerate discovery and reduce costly trial-and-error experimentation. Modern biomanufacturing faces a significant challenge: existing methods rely heavily on trial-and-error experimentation and outdated modeling tools that fail to account for how enzymes behave when attached to surfaces in real-world systems. This limits precision, scalability, and efficiency, particularly in applications that require complex, multi-step enzymatic cascades. Under MICA, CFD Research and UAH are working together to close this gap by combining advanced simulation, molecular-level modeling, and experimental insight to better predict how molecular behavior, surface interactions, and microsystem design influence catalytic performance. To support this effort, CFD Research is developing MAESTRO (Multimodal Approach for Enzyme-cascade Simulations Towards Reaction Optimization), a unified simulation framework that combines physics-based modeling, artificial intelligence, and molecular-level analysis. MAESTRO is designed to help experimental teams prioritize promising pathways, guide high-value experiments, and better understand how catalytic systems perform in realistic operating environments. "Today's biomanufacturing challenges demand more than trial and error," said Ketan Bhatt, the project's Principal Investigator. "With MAESTRO, we're building a smarter, integrated framework that connects what's happening at the molecular level to real-world production outcomes." The MICA program seeks to unlock new capabilities by enabling precise control over molecular catalysts within microsystems, with potential applications spanning advanced manufacturing, medical therapeutics, environmental remediation, and national security technologies. By serving as a modeling and analysis partner, CFD Research will help ensure that experimental efforts across the program are grounded in predictive science. This award highlights CFD Research's long-standing expertise at the intersection of biology, chemistry, engineering, and computation, while also marking an important milestone for UAH's Department of Biological Sciences, reinforcing North Alabama's growing role in nationally significant, interdisciplinary research initiatives. About CFD Research Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 as a top growing company for five of the last six years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.

CFD Research promotes Dr. Kapil Pant to Chief Technology Officer. (Huntsville, Ala.) - CFD Research is proud to announce the promotion of Dr. Kapil Pant to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), a strategic leadership role that will further strengthen the company's technology vision, innovation pipeline, and long-term growth. In his role as CTO, Dr. Pant will focus on developing and aligning technology portfolios to deliver more complete, integrated solutions for customers. His responsibilities include advancing product strategy, guiding key customer development and strategic partner engagements, and leading CFD Research's Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program. Through these efforts, he will strengthen the company's ability to pursue and win larger contracts, accelerate the transition of technology to the field, and deliver measurable impact on customer missions. Dr. Pant previously served as Executive Vice President of the Biomedical, Energy, and Materials Division, where he led multidisciplinary teams developing innovative designs, prototypes, and models for micro- and nano-scale systems. Since joining CFD Research in 2000, he has played a central role in advancing technologies across biodefense and biodiagnostics, including biological sample preparation, biosensing and detection, particulate collection and concentration, drug delivery devices, and advanced computational modeling of particle and biological transport. Throughout his career, Dr. Pant has combined technical depth with strategic vision. He is the author of more than 75 journal and conference publications, an inventor on over 15 patents, and a principal contributor to the SynVivo(R) family of products, demonstrating his ability to translate research into real-world solutions. "Kapil's promotion to Chief Technology Officer reflects both his technical leadership and his ability to connect innovation with customer needs," said Sameer Singhal, President & CEO of CFD Research. "His experience developing technologies from concept to application makes him uniquely qualified to guide our technology strategy as we continue to expand our impact." Dr. Pant holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, and Master's degree in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. CFD Research looks forward to the continued impact of Dr. Pant's leadership as Chief Technology Officer, advancing integrated technology solutions, strengthening customer partnerships, and driving innovation through a focused and forward-looking IRAD strategy. About CFD Research Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for five of the last six years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.