Multifunctional Additively Manufactured Ceramics for Aerospace Applications

Increasing fuel efficiency constraints and flight speed requirements make ceramics a critical material for future aircrafts. Current fabrication techniques for ceramics including chemical vapor infiltration, polymer impregnation pyrolysis, liquid silicon infiltration and their combinations. While these techniques are useful for fabricating simple part geometries, the requirement of complex molds and tooling intrinsically limits their ability to produce intricate geometrical parts, such as helical conformal channels, and prohibits the fabrication of highly complex topological structures with internal architected lattices. The ability to fabricate such structures is especially important for enabling multifunctional structures that marry the material advantages of ceramics with structural and functional advantages of complex local structural geometries. The goal of the project is to develop additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for advanced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with unique combinations of low density, chemical inertness, and high strength that are suitable for multifunctional aerospace applications. We will systematically investigate the impact of various synthesis parameters on the AM process, synergistically develop scalable AM techniques for fabricating complex structural topologies, and evaluate the multifunctional response of the fabricated CMCs. The obtained insights will assist the rational design and fabrication of new multifunctional CMC components of high interest to NASA and US industry. The functionalities of primary interest are the thermal, mechanical, and acoustical response. We will achieve these objectives via three main collaborative tasks: Task 1 will fabricate reinforcement materials with controllable structure and tunable properties; Task 2 will develop AM and pyrolysis mechanisms suitable for reinforced SiC composites; Task 3 will evaluate the multifunctional properties of AM reinforced SiC composites. The project goals will be achieved via close collaboration of five researchers from five different departments across three Kansas universities (Wichita State University, University of Kansas, Kansas State University) with complementary expertise across the disciplines of materials synthesis and development, manufacturing technology development, ceramic media and arts, and aerospace structural design and analysis. the team will be supported by knowledge-area experts at three NASA Research Centers (Glenn Research Center (GRC), Langley Research Center (LaRC), and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)), and three leading US aerospace industries with a significant economic footprint in Kansas (Spirit AeroSystems, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and The Boeing Company). Designing multifunctional ceramics is of significant and immediate interest to both NASA and Kansas. Specifically, the proposed research: (1) meets NASA’s strategic goals to: “Expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunity in space” and “Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on our home planet”; (2) aligns with the strategic thrusts of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)’s “Rapid, safe, & Efficient Space Transportation” and the Aeronautic Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)’s “Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports”; and (3) addresses three areas of strength in Kansas: a) materials, b) aviation and transportation, and c) energy and environment. Results from this project will translate into new methodologies relying on high temperature ceramic materials — materials of high importance to meet future challenges in aerospace applications and beyond. Furthermore, it contributes to the research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities of Kansas universities, and economic development of state of Kansas.

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.