Physics
Thermal field mapping and rotational stress models bound the design space before any geometry exists. FEA-related tooling and custom propulsion extensions check the result.
Physics first. Then optimization, geometry and metal.
One engineering system, written largely in-house, that connects propulsion requirements to machined and inspected hardware. A Rust and Tauri desktop application with a Three.js viewport ties the layers together.
Four layers, one system
Optimization
Design variables are explored systematically. Combinatorial subproblems are formulated as QUBO models and solved with quantum and classical methods side by side.
Geometry
Parameters become solid geometry on PicoGK through our own voxel-based geometry layer in .NET, with manufacturability constraints applied as the geometry is built.
Manufacturing
Custom CAM and G-code generation drive 5-axis CNC with in-process probing. The part that is cut is the part that was computed.
Where quantum computing fits
Quantum-classical optimization sits inside the optimization layer. Where a propulsion or material selection problem has a combinatorial structure, we formulate it as a QUBO and solve it with quantum annealing on D-Wave Leap, or with gate-based variational methods, QAOA and VQE, on IBM Quantum.
Classical methods run in the same layer and remain the default. We do not claim a general quantum advantage for propulsion design. Establishing where quantum methods measurably improve results is an active R&D objective, and we report it only as the evidence supports it.
The closed loop
Each stage, what it does and what it runs on.
Physical validation data returns to the start of the loop and informs the next design.
Stage 1 of 10, requirements layer
Propulsion requirements
The mission or component requirement defines the problem.
Every run starts from an engineering requirement: operating envelope, loads, temperatures, envelope constraints and the material the part will be made from.
Stack
| Layer | Purpose | Tools and methods |
|---|---|---|
| Optimization | Combinatorial design and material selection subproblems | D-Wave Leap, QAOA, QUBO formulations, IBM Quantum, VQE |
| Physics and geometry | Physics-bounded, voxel-based component geometry | .NET, PicoGK, Custom voxel-based computational geometry, Thermal field mapping, Rotational stress, Manufacturability constraints, FEA-related tooling, Custom propulsion extensions |
| Application | Desktop engineering application that ties the pipeline together | Rust, Tauri, Three.js |
| Manufacturing | Direct path from computed geometry to machined metal | Custom CAM, Custom G-code generation, 5-axis CNC, In-process probing, Precision machining |
Talk to the people who designed and machined it.
For investors, design partners and propulsion programs. We reply personally.