Carbon Nanotube (CNT) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced SiC Optical Components

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

M Cubed has developed and patented technology to make carbon fiber reinforced SiC composites and components. In addition, the feasibility of doubling the toughness of SiC with carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement has been proven. In this program, M Cubed will demonstrate further innovative modifications of the above technology to make extremely lightweight, high toughness, low CTE optical components. In particular, 0.25 m and 0.5m lightweighted spherical mirror substrates will be fabricated, coated, finished and delivered to NASA for characterization (including cryogenic testing. A path will be outlined to take the technology to 1-2m class mirror in Phase II.

Benefits

mirrors, optical benches, optical structures, precision components, deployable components

Automobile brakes, wafer substrates, precision structures

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Optical Components
Program	Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Lead organization	M Cubed Technologies, Inc., Newark, DE
Start date	2012-02-23
End date	2012-08-23

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Ron Eng — Ron.Eng@nasa.gov
Prashant Karandikar

How to get involved

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.

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.