Optimized Cellular Core For Rotorcraft, Phase I

Patz Materials and Technologies proposes to develop a unique structural cellular core material to improve mechanical performance, reduce platform weight and lower the production costs for rotorcraft platforms. The performance of any rotorcraft will be inherently dependent on the flight weight of that structure. The goal of Patz Materials and Technologies is to combine their experience of resin/fiber reinforced composite materials with their core fabrication technology to create a new and novel cellular core material for the advancement of the rotorcraft industry. To achieve this goal Patz Materials and Technologies proposes to work directly with a rotorcraft producer, Bell Helicopter, to quantify the specific physical requirements of cellular core structures applied to rotorcraft platforms. The outcome of this partnership will allow Patz Materials and Technologies to develop a unique structural prepreg based cellular core to optimize performance versus weight. A small amount of the core will be fabricate and physically tested to validate its significance.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Structures such as military and commercial aircraft, ground vehicles and marine vessels have the potential to utilize a new cellular core material to increase strength while reducing weight. The new cellular core material could also be utilized in numerous sporting goods, optical benches and even cargo containers. Potential Non-NASA Commercial Applications: Rotorcraft industry: One of the primary goals of NASA is to improve the state of the art technologies available to the aerospace industry. This is the main focus of this proposal. Space Platforms: The cost per weight of material placed into space is astronomical. The creation of stronger lighter core materials could significantly reduce the weight of a structure, sub structure and even the launch vehicle enabling higher payload capacities less fuel consumed and less overall cost to produce the structure. Mars Unmanned Rotorcraft Vehicle: The reduction of weight on an unmanned rotorcraft vehicle for the purpose of exploring Mars is an immediate application in which saving even a few pounds of weight will yield immense savings in associate launch costs.

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.

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