Carlo Scalo receives Phase II award of $1.8 million for advanced propulsion technologies
“This is a critical milestone for our company,” said Scalo, whose academic research focuses on nonlinear acoustics, compressible turbulence, and hypersonics. “Starting a small business is always a challenge. But this award allows us to step up to the next level.”
In 2018, he founded HySonic Technologies, LLC, to develop technologies to improve the aerodynamic and propulsive performance of hypersonic vehicles. With the help of the Purdue Foundry, he applied for and successfully received Phase I SBIR awards from the U.S. Navy in 2019 and 2021. Each of these $140,000 awards enabled Scalo to develop his small business in its early stages. With this newest two-year, $1.8 million Phase II award from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), HySonic is growing closer to delivering a viable product.
“This is a stepping stone to achieving our dream,” said Scalo. “Now there’s a lot more to do.”
Under this DARPA funding, HySonic will continue to develop technologies for stabilizing the operation of high-speed propulsion systems, in collaboration with B.J. Austin at IN Space, LLC and Purdue colleagues Stephen Heister and Scott Meyer at the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, the largest academic propulsion lab in the world.
“It’s been an interesting ride, with a lot of ups and downs,” said Scalo. “I never imagined that I would be starting a business, but the Purdue Research Foundation, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Elevate Ventures have been a great help in the process.”
“We have a strong vision for HySonic Technologies,” said Scalo. “It took a lot of effort to make it this far, and now with even more opportunities for growth coming our way, and I’m excited for the future.”
Writer: Jared Pike, jaredpike@purdue.edu, 765-496-0374
Source: Carlo Scalo, scalo@hysonic.tech