Boeing
donates special engineering software package
Irene Burgo
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 has received 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.”
Developed by Boeing Philadelphia’s Dr. Jack Nachamkin,
Blitzen has been designed to understand and minimize potential aircraft
damage. 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.
“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.”
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