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Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
Design of new, stiff molecular structures containing aromatic rings. Candidate polymer structures are aromatic polyimides synthesized from rigid monomers. Use of reactive functional groups to control cross-linking density, keeping a good balance between restriction of molecular rearrangement and material brittleness. Addition of second phase components to restrict large scale rearrangements of polymer molecules.#Characterization of the temperature-dependent creep and stress relaxation properties to predict life time creep behavior.
Potential for large space structures payload applications such as solar sails, solar arrays, antennas, payload booms, Moon/Mars habitats and planetary decelerators.
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