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Innovative, Lightweight Thoraeus RubberTM for MMOD and Space Radiation Shielding

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX12CF37P
Agency Tracking Number: 114858
Amount: $125,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X11.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-02-13
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-08-13
Small Business Information
158 Wheatland Drive
Pembroke, VA 24136-3645
United States
DUNS: 008963758
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 J. Lalli
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 626-6266
 llawson@nanosonic.com
Business Contact
 Lisa Lawson
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: (540) 626-6266
Email: llawson@nanosonic.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

NanoSonic offers an innovative manufacturing process to yield ultra-lightweight radiation shielding nanocomposites by exploiting the concept of the Thoraeus filter on the nanoscale. Our elegant, layer-by-layer deposition process allows for unique layering with molecular level precision to covalently bind advanced polymers with alternating layers of high and low z nanoparticles. While radiation shielding cannot be achieved without some combination of mass density and appropriate choice of materials, NanoSonic's Thoraeus Rubber?are nanostructured layers engineered in a manner to maximize shielding with minimum bulk within a hydrogenous network to address neutron emissions in addition to RF, gamma, X-ray and high energy particles. Radiation shielding shall be evaluated at Colorado State University and the Brookhaven Radiation Effects Facility to verify protection for humans and exploration vehicles envisioned for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and long-duration missions beyond LEO. Thermal, mechanical, and RF characterization would be carried out at NanoSonic. Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) resistance and outgassing would be carried out by our space prime partner. Candidate materials shall be delivered in support of demonstration experiments for Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). TRL 8-9 would be achieved upon demonstration of human and electronics protection from long-duration galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar energetic particles (SEP).

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

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