NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION

FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY

PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 17.05-8856 (Chron: 001145 )
PROJECT TITLE
Nanotube Composite Materials For Balloons and Aerobots

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Innovative materials are key to buoyant vehicles for terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications in NASA's Space and Earth Science Enterprises. Thin film membranes which have resistance to UV degradation, temperature operation up to 750°K, low helium permeability with good handling and folding characteristics at an areal density <40g/m2 and down to <12g/m2 are required. Metallized composites of nanotube reinforcement in a carbon matrix are an innovative material that has the potential to meet these material requirements. Nanotube reinforced carbon matrix composites will be developed and metallization processing demonstrated to produce ultra-lightweight membranes to fabricate vehicles for both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications. Hybrid composite membrane materials will be delivered to NASA.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Commercial applications will be for NASA ultra-lightweight thin film requirements, weather and communication balloons as well as membranes/thin films in a variety of industrial applications.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
J.C. Withers
MER Corporation
7960 S. Kolb Road
Tucson , AZ 85706 - 9237

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
MER Corporation
7960 S. Kolb Rd.
Tucson , AZ 85706 - 9237