Lightweight Rubbery Aerogel Composites for High Performance Protection, Phase I

Aspen Aerogels Inc. (AAI) and the Man Vehicle Laboratory (MVL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology propose to develop nanostructured, lightweight, rubbery aerogel composites for multifunctional insulation materials which will significantly improve advanced extravehicular activity (EVA) systems and habitats. The proposed rubbery aerogel composite materials will exhibit excellent flexibility, toughness and durability, versatility, and hardness, along with the low density and superior thermal insulation properties associated with the nanopored structure of aerogels. The flexible rubbery behavior of the proposed materials will overcome the weak, brittle, and dusty nature of conventional inorganic and organic aerogels. The proposed high-performance, lightweight, rubbery aerogel composites will provide superior thermal insulation and inherent radiation protection suitable for NASA advanced extravehicular activity (EVA) suits and exploration habitat protection. Insulating aerogel composites are also applicable to NASA's space hardware and vehicles as well as many other aerospace, military, and commercial insulation applications.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Other potential applications include use as insulation in commercial and military aircraft, cryogenic tanks, liquefied gas transport, gloves, footwear, systems for warming, storing, and/or transporting food and medicine, sleeping bags and pads, military and recreational tents, etc. The new rubbery aerogels can be recycled for use as impact modifiers and/or filler materials for conventional plastics.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.