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Villanova hosted a commemorative luncheon on April 23 in Dundale for representatives of The Boeing Company who presented the University with a gift of intellectual property in the form of a software package known as “Blitzen.” The Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., University president and Dr. Barry C. Johnson, dean of the College of Engineering, welcomed the guests on behalf of The Boeing/Villanova Partnership, which promotes research through the Engineering College’s Center for Advanced Communication. Boeing and Villanova have enjoyed a partnership through Engineering for many years, focused on mutual research interests.

Blitzen is designed to predict the indirect effects of lightning strikes on composite aircraft structures. The Blitzen software can accurately model the effects of lightning strikes on the electrical wiring and electrical components of composite aircraft. The application, valued at more than $1 million, has been validated through instrumented lightning testing, and will be further developed by Villanova’s Antenna Research Laboratory.

With the software, Villanova will receive the accompanying test data, a draft version of a user’s manual and 80 hours of technical assistance. Villanova students will write a detailed manual, extend the software’s intended frequencies, publish papers describing theories and operations, and develop plans for future commercialization of the project.

“The College of Engineering is extremely pleased that The Boeing Company has donated this gift of intellectual property to the College’s Center for Advanced Communication,” said Dr. Johnson. “The software code named Blitzen will enable engineering students to perform cutting-edge research that has real-world application to technologies being developed today and in the future.”

Lightning strikes, a natural phenomenon that hit commercial aircraft at least once a year, can cause catastrophic damage if the aircraft is not properly protected. Developed by Boeing Philadelphia’s Dr. Jack Nachamkin, Blitzen has been designed to understand and minimize potential aircraft damage.

“Blitzen has demonstrated operational performance for commercial viability and has been used successfully on military and civilian projects throughout the world, according to Gene Partlow, Boeing’s vice president of Intellectual Property Business. “Villanova has proven expertise in research and development and will help expand and realize the software’s full capabilities,” said Partlow. “We’re proud to support the education of future technological leaders.”