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Smart Coatings for the Assessment of Impact and Thermal Damage on Composites

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-06-C-0291
Agency Tracking Number: N061-039-0189
Amount: $149,918.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N06-039
Solicitation Number: 2006.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-05-09
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-08-13
Small Business Information
2851 Commerce Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
United States
DUNS: 627132913
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Bryan Koene
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 552-5128
 submissions@lunainnovations.com
Business Contact
 Angela Keen
Title: Sr. Contract Administrato
Phone: (540) 552-5128
Email: submissions@lunainnovations.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Luna Innovations is developing damage indicator paints for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) used as structural components in military and commercial aircraft. The complex structure of composites makes detection of cracks, flaws, and weak points within a structural component challenging. Composite damage resulting from impact or thermal events can be difficult to visually detect by personnel servicing the aircraft. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods can be effective but are also time consuming and expensive for frequent routine inspections. The damage indicator paint developed by Luna will allow aircraft inspection personnel to visually detect potential composite damage quickly in the field without the use of expensive equipment. Areas of damage highlighted by the paint can then be more closely inspected to determine needed repairs. This technology will help to prevent structural failure and will reduce the time and expense of instrumented NDE testing.BENEFITS: This technology can be applied as damage sensing paint in any fiber reinforced structures used in a variety of applications including commercial aircraft, armor, advanced vehicle power trains, off-shore drilling platforms, marine craft, and advanced sporting equipment. Parallel to this damage detection technology are commercial applications in self-healing and corrosion prevention materials.

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

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