Low Cost P/M Aluminum Syntactic Foam for Blade Containment in Turbine Engines, Phase I

The proposed Phase I SBIR proposes a low density (0.75-1.2g/cc)syntactic aluminum foam energy absorber co-manufactured inside a composite fan case for turbine engines. Metal syntactic foams provide more energy absorption than any type other metal or non metallic foam on a volumetric basis (80-150J/cm^3). This will provide a lower weight alternative to hard wall fan casings and a smaller wall alternative to soft walled fan casings. The phase I program will test Syntactic aluminum foam and integrated carbon fiber aluminum syntactic foam panels under high strain rate conditions and under a blade failure ballistic test.

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.