Fabrication and Modeling of Carbon and Boron Nitride Nanotube Growth on Lightweight Substrates for Multi-Functional Composite Structures Project

The objective of this proposal is controlled nanotube growth on a lightweight veil substrate such that the vertically aligned nanotubes may be easily incorporated into a polymer or composite structure. Specific objectives are: Develop the fabrication process for producing fuzzy fiber with desired carbon nanotube (CNT) length leveraging current collaboration with MIT through the National Space Technology Fellowship (NSTRF). Evaluate fuzzy fiber composites with tailored CNT length Develop Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT) capabilities to enable incorporation of vertically aligned BNNTs into composite structures for multifunctional composite structures. Model nanotube length and loading requirements to maximize transport properties through the resin rich inter-ply region of a composite and verify the model from composite data with different CNT lengths.

The proposed materials development will lead to a novel material system that can be licensed and incorporated into structures requiring increased damage tolerance as well as thermal and/or electrical conductivity. The proposed research, if successful, can result in significant interest from the automotive sector and the aircraft manufacturers.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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