Affordable Reusable Extreme Temperature Structural Materials

Explore alternative approaches to the fabrication of reliable Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composites to overcome acknowledged challenges with this material class. Gaps: Explore approaches for reducing processing time and improving the reliability of part dimensions. To accelerate the development of materials for extreme temperature applications, we will investigate material compositions conceived in-house, as well as collaborate with a SBIR company that has a candidate composition. Alternate fabrication methods of the carbon fiber preform will be explored. Promising composite materials will be tested in collaboration with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Despite the potential for C/C composites to address challenging NASA-unique problems, there has not been significant progress in advancing the technology due to lack of new material solutions that offer an alternative to heritage materials.

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.