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Lightweight Metal RubberTM Sensors and Interconnects

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNL06AA37P
Agency Tracking Number: 054172
Amount: $67,016.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A2.06
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-01-27
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-07-24
Small Business Information
1485 South Main Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-5556
United States
DUNS: 00896
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Andrea Hill
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 953-1785
 ahill@nanosonic.com
Business Contact
 Richard Claus
Title: President
Phone: (540) 953-1785
Email: roclaus@nanosonic.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The objective of the proposed program is to develop lightweight and highly elastic electrically conducting interconnects and strain sensor arrays for next generation adaptive aerospace vehicles and structures. The systems-level problem this would solve is the inability of currently available materials to undergo the large strains and displacements associated with shape changes of morphing structures. NanoSonic will demonstrate the feasibility of the Metal RubberTM family of freestanding nanocomposite materials to serve as 1) electrically conductive, low modulus electrodes for large displacement mechanical actuators required to affect large shape changes, and 2) an integrated network of strain sensors to allow mapping of strain and determination of shape in adaptive structural components. Metal RubberTM is fabricated via layer-by-layer, molecular self-assembly, which enables thickness and placement control over multiple molecular constituents for true nanostructured multifunctionality. As an electrode material, new, ultra-low modulus Metal RubberTM can be strained to 1000% elongation while remaining electrically conductive; it returns to its original shape and nominal conductivity when released. As a strain sensor, strains up to 1000% have been measured in very highly flexible structures. During Phase I the feasibility of using such electrodes and strain sensors would be demonstrated in cooperation with a large aerospace company.

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

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