Hierarchical Shape Recovery Polymer Nanocomposites (PNCs) for Next Generation Aerosystem Applications

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. will complete development of hierarchical shape memory (recovery) polymer (SMP) nanocomposite material technologies and demonstration of their performance characteristics in terms of efficiency of energy recovery, extent of strain recovery, stress during strain recovery, energy budget (power) necessary for actuation, temperature range of operation, and reproducibility upon deformation cycling. Phase II effort will demonstrate scale-up prototype for selected aerospace system components employing SMP-nanocomposite. Phase II R&D will optimize Phase I formulations and the corresponding SMP nanocomposite fabrication processes, yielding mature SMP nanocomposites and providing SMP nanocomposite material database for the user communities. It will also capitalize on the Phase I to optimize deployment or actuation conditions employing joule heating besides direct thermal heating. Phase II R&D will culminate in demonstration of revolutionary morphing and deploying functionality based on unique "smart" material properties enabled by integration of SMP and nanocomposite. The suite of new material technologies will address the drawbacks of current shape recovery materials.