Hierarchically Tailorable Composites with extreme Thermo-mechanical Properties for Dimensionally Stable Space Structures

Enabling the future of large telescopes and space structures NASA envisions for the discovery of habitable exoplanets require dimensionally stable lightweight structural components. Innovating advanced composite materials with exceptional mechanical properties and thermal stability is critical to achieve dimensional stability and robust functionality in extreme environments. Our research focuses on the computationally guided design, scalable fabrication, thermo-mechanical characterizations, and prototype demonstration of lightweight structured composites with extreme mechanical and thermal properties. We aim to identify and establish clear process-structure-property relations in nanofiber-reinforced composites with high-performance interphases that will allow us to overcome material property conflicts to achieve ultra-high modulus, -strength, and -toughness, and ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion and creep rates.

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