| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 17.05-8856 (For NASA Use Only - Chron: 001145 ) |
| PROPOSAL 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 750K, 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. The Phase I program demonstrated that nanotube reinforced carbon matrix membrane with an areal density of 12 g/m2 could be produced, which had low helium permeability. The Phase II program will optimize the processing to produce the fully stable nanotube reinforced membranes and scale-up to deliver meter size membranes.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Commercial applications will be for NASA ultra-lightweight, highly stable thin film requirements, weather and communication balloons, solar sails, sun shields 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)
Dr. J.C. (Jim) Withers
MER Corporation
7960 S. Kolb Rd.
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