You are here

Light-Activated Shape Memory Composite

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: W31P4Q-07-C-0282
Agency Tracking Number: 06ST1-0061
Amount: $749,994.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: ST061-007
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-09-25
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-11-29
Small Business Information
2750 Indian Ripple Road
Dayton, OH 45440
United States
DUNS: 130020209
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ernie Havens
 Chief Engineer
 (937) 320-1877
 havensde@crgrp.net
Business Contact
 Patrick Hood
Title: President
Phone: (937) 320-1877
Email: hoodpj@crgrp.net
Research Institution
 UNIV. OF PITTSBURGH
 Allen DiPalma
 
Office of Research 320 Thackray Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
United States

 (412) 624-4166
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Future systems such as morphing aircraft will adapt and reconfigure to accommodate mission needs. These shape changes must allow change while still bearing substantial loads. Fiber-reinforced composites are the preferred reinforcement materials due to their mechanical and lightweight properties suited for meeting the requirements of morphing systems. Although thermally activated shape memory composites have been demonstrated and are progressing rapidly as the state-of-the-art for morphing skins and structures, they possess fundamental limitations, such as switching time and thermal energy, which must be overcome to maximize performance. Additionally, morphing materials under investigation lack stiffness characteristics necessary to prevent undesired out-of-plane deformations. Future morphing systems will require no thermal signature and no time delay while offering low power consumption and improved stiffness. For these requirements, light-activated shape memory polymer (LASMP) holds significant promise. Future morphing systems will also require long life cycles for affordability, electrical conductivity modulation for survivability, reconfigurable thermal flow paths for shape change near hot areas, and color change for camouflage operations in a variety of environments. For these requirements basic shape memory polymer functionality provides an ideal matrix material for further technology integration that will lead to "situationally responsive" systems.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government