An effective process for recycling plastics and composites used in aircraft does not currently exist. As a result, scrap and used materials are disposed of in landfills. A chemical recycling process is proposed that will allow the components of these waste materials to be converted to valuable… More

A novel tertiary recycling process is proposed for investigation as an economical means for reclaiming scrap aircraft transparency materials. Early development work has shown that this process can convert a wide variety of polymers and composites into low molecular weight hydrocarbons at… More

The advantages of thermoplastic matrix composites for manufacturing low-cost cmponents have yet to be realized. an important factor limiting thermoplastic composites is the lack of low-cost method for producing high-quality prepregs and preforms. a method of producing these materials that is… More

Cured aircraft composite materials present a particularly difficult challenge for recycling technology. Those materials have mostly thermosetting epoxy matrices and occur in intimate association with metals, paints, and coatings. Current techniques for recycling thermoset composites, mostly for… More

A novel tertiary recycling process is proposed for investigation as an economical means for recycling shipboard plastic waste. Early development work has shown that this process can convert a wide variety of polymers and composites into low molecular weight hydrocarbons at temperatures below 200'C.… More

40640 November 12, 1996 Adherent Technologies, Inc. Scintillators have been used for over 90 years to detect ionizing radiation, but solid organic scintillator, commonly used in physics experimentation, suffer from errors caused by pulse pileup. To… More

Cured aircraft composite materials present a particularly difficult challenge for recycling technology. Those materials have mostly thermosetting epoxy matrices and occur in intimate association with metals, paints, and coatings. Current techniques for recycling thermoset composites, mostly for… More

Not Available We propose to investigate the feasibility of manufacturing a simple waveguide laser that would demonstrate all of the qualities of fiber lasers while utilizing the simple pumping scheme of an side pumped Nd:YAG laser. The Phase I effort will involve modeling of the system and Phase II… More

65507 Adhesive systems are needed for the assembly of detectors for high-energy physics applications, especially an adhesive that cures upon the application of an external stimulation, such as UV light. However, the end use of these detectors requires extensive shielding to protect the detectors… More

65544 Nuclear physics research requires large detectors that can detect particles with good spatial and time resolution. However, these devices are expensive to build and require high maintenance. They also require a large solid support structure, which adds to overall project cost. This project… More

Large space-deployed structures such as synthetic aperture radars, radiometers, and solar arrays are receiving a great deal of interest by NASA in the Earth Sciences program. These large structures by necessity must be ultra-lightweight and low stored volume. Inflatable or self-deployable approaches… More

65437 In closed waste-storage systems containing either easily oxidizable metals or radioactive materials, molecular hydrogen is produced. If these closed containers have hydrogen impermeable shells or cases, the build-up of hydrogen gas may form an explosive or flammable mixture with any… More

65532 The recycling of mixed or contaminated plastic could save energy. However, the products of most recycling processes used today are of low quality and represent only a shifting of the problem by one product generation. This project will adapt an existing technology for the recycling of… More

There is an increasing need for large, reliable, and cost-effective inflatable space antennas for communications applications. This Phase I program will focus on the design and development of open-celled foams as structural elements in self-deploying antenna systems. Foams offer the following… More

Performance requirements for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in aerospace and transportation applications are generally quite stringent. Among these requirements are excellent thermal stability, high strength and high toughness. Easy processing is also desirable. Electron-beam (e-beam) curing has… More

Performance requirements for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in aerospace and transportation applications are generally quite stringent. Among these requirements are excellent thermal stability, high strength and high toughness. Easy processing is also desirable. Electron-beam (e-beam) curing has… More

60770 Recycling of carbon fiber reinforced composites is an important task for the future development of this class of materials. Without recycling, the full potential of using composite materials in low-cost applications like automobile production, along with the resulting fuel economy, will… More

60770 Recycling of carbon fiber reinforced composites is an important task for the future development of this class of materials. Without recycling, the full potential of using composite materials in low-cost applications like automobile production, along with the resulting fuel economy, will… More

Electrostatic discharge control is vital for the health of any spacecraft. Exposure to charged particles in a space enviroment can lead to large charge differences across the craft, that, if no mechanism for controlled discharge is present, can destroy mission critical equipment. The preferred way… More

Electrostatic discharge control is vital for the health of any spacecraft. Exposure to charged particles in a space enviroment can lead to large charge differences across the craft, that, if no mechanism for controlled discharge is present, can destroy mission critical equipment. The preferred way… More

Inflatable or self-deployable systems offer the only practical way to achieve space deployed antennas with low mass at large aperture. In this Phase I program, open-celled rigid polyurethane foams were developed for use in self-deploying antenna structures. Advantages of such a system relative to… More

70307 Many DOE sites have the need to monitor radionuclide contamination in surface water, groundwater, soils, and the vadose zone. In many cases, a real-time and/or remote monitoring capability is desired. Existing site characterization procedures typically involve the collection and… More

The concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath is 3.8%; a concentration of 2% causes deepened breathing, and 4% causes a marked increase in respiration. These higher concentrations of CO2 also cause drowsiness and can be unsafe. Therefore, it is desirable to monitor the concentration of CO2… More

The Phraselator, a handheld automatic translation device, currently uses a cardioic microphone as an input for automatic speech recognition (ASR). This microphone is highly vulnerable to performance degradation in typical noisy military environments and,thus, there is a need for an improved… More

As the unmanned exploration of Mars and Venus becomes more of a focus area at NASA, inflatable, rigidizable wings will become an enabling technology. The successful development of this type of wing will also have significant military applications. The utility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a prepreg material that, while maintaining the advantages of a powder towpreg system, will eliminate the use of high price, finely ground powders. By generating fine particles in situ using aerosol formation from molten… More

As the unmanned exploration of Mars and Venus becomes more of a focus area at NASA, inflatable, rigidizable wings will become an enabling technology. The successful development of this type of wing will also have significant military applications in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Rigidization of… More

75352-Many DOE sites require the monitoring of radionuclide contamination in surface water, groundwater, soils, and the vadose zone ¿ often in real-time and with remote monitoring capability. However, existing site characterization procedures typically involve the collection and shipment of… More

Light (UV and visible) curing composite matrix resins are being explored as an attractive means for rigidizing inflatable spacecraft for large space-deployed structures such as solar sails, radar and communications antennas, radiometers, and solar arrays. Light curing provides a controlled, clean,… More

The interface is often a limiting factor in determining the durability of composite materials used in harsh environments. Attaining a well-bonded interface is particularly difficult with low-temperature curing matrix resin systems. A need exists for a carbon fiber adhesion promoting finish that is… More

The reduction of the weight of individual equipment components is one of the main objectives in the Army's quest for a lighter, more mobile force. Special attention is required for non-structural components, because the potential for weight reduction without compromising battle field survivability… More

Asbestos insulation material has been used in shipboard environments for many years. While the material is usually safe when left undisturbed, it becomes a major health hazard during removal. The fine, needle like crystals that can be released into the air during handling are inhaled into the deep… More

New high temperature sizings are needed that are compatible with resin infusion processes to improve the properties and durability of carbon/polyimide composites. Compatibility with resin infusion processes includes compatibility with weaving and braiding operations and improved wetting with the… More

High-temperature polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are desired for the aggressive environments encountered in many aerospace and military applications. These have required new blends of materials properties in the composite fiber and matrix. As polyimide resins have been improved, the… More

Manufacture of polymer matrix composite (PMC) jet engine parts is expensive due to the high cost of needed high temperature materials and fabrication processes currently in use. To reduce costs and improve quality, automated composite fabrication methods such as filament winding, automated tape… More

The expanding use of composites in shipboard applications is driving the development of fire-resistant composite structures. However, despite significant efforts in improving the resins and cores of composite sandwich structures, passive fire protection (e.g., insulation) is still required. … More

Nano forms of graphite and carbon, such as flakes, worms, and tubes, can significantly modify the properties of polymers when used as reinforcements. Challenges remain in processing composites with these nano-reinforcements in the form of attaining uniform dispersions. Many of these difficulties… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project focuses on the development of high temperature resins and tapes and their use in automated tape placement (ATP) fabrication with in-situ electron beam cure. Thermoplastic polymer matrix ATP and layer-by-layer electron beam curing ATP (EB-ATP)… More

The Navy has qualified a visible light-initiated resin system for spot repair and corrosion control on ballast tanks. This system, developed by Spectra Group Limited, cures in a very short period of time under visible light illumination to yield the patch and corrosion control coating. The major… More

An aqueous-based finish (sizing) was developed in Phase I to improve the carbon/vinyl ester interfacial bond. The finish is composed of a reactive coupling agent, a low viscosity vinyl ester resin, a free radical inhibitor, and a surfactant. The reactive finishes substantially improved the… More

New high-temperature sizings are needed to improve the properties and durability of carbon/polyimide composites. Compatibility with weaving and braiding operations and improved wetting during prepregging or resin infusing polyimide resin is also needed. Achieving these characteristics will result… More

High-temperature (HT) polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are desired for many aerospace and military applications. Silicon carbide (SiC) fibers provide a potentially attractive reinforcement for HT PMCs for applications ranging from propulsion systems to structures for the orbiting space plane. The… More

Phase I results showed that two surface treatments, oxidative plasma and reactive finishes, are effective means of modifying the surface chemistry of exfoliated graphite nanoflakes. The surface modifications provide a more compatible surface energy for dispersion in polymers and create well-bonded… More

NASA has numerous requirements for in-space repair capabilities to aid future missions beyond earth orbit. A subset of these requirements is adhesive patch materials that provide permanent or temporary repair of a wide variety of surfaces with minimal surface preparation. Prior work on light (UV… More

The Navy intends to start using a significant quantity of composite structures in surface ship construction in an effort to decrease costs as well as to reduce the visibility of the ships to radar. The large size of the target structures necessitates the use of low temperature, non-autoclave… More

The recycling of composites on a large scale is an unsolved problem. Currently, the material is either ground up into near-worthless fillers, incinerated, or digested using environmentally questionable technology. Adherent Technologies, Inc. has developed a number of technologies to reclaim… More

DARPA is seeking technologies that will enable the production and use of high altitude, long endurance (HALE) aircraft. Requirements for this application include a light weight and low storage volume to allow easier delivery of the vehicle to such altitudes. Ultraviolet (UV) light rigidizable… More

In this proposed Phase I program, we will develop a fiber optic scintillator system with a radionuclide-selective cladding for use in the detection of radionuclide contamination in water supplies or wastewater streams. The current terrorist threat requires that vigilance be maintained on all… More

NASA has numerous requirements for in-space repair capabilities to aid future missions beyond earth orbit. A subset of these requirements is adhesive patch materials that provide permanent or temporary repair of a wide variety of surfaces with minimal surface preparation and that can operate in the… More

Aging and durability of aircraft in both the military and civilian sectors are becoming major issues as the existing fleet continues to age. Additionally, the increased use of composite structures in the civilian fleet, such as in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380, make the… More

Establishing human presence outside the protective cover of earth's atmosphere is a challenge. On earth, the atmosphere does not only present breathing gas, it also acts as a thermal buffer and protects the biosphere from harmful radiation. Shielding of humans from harmful radiation during… More

Any manned missions to extraterrestrial locations will require shelter structures for a variety of purposes ranging from habitat usage to biomass production. Such shelters need to be constructed in such a way to minimize stowed volume and payload weight. The structures must also be very durable… More

The proposed Phase I program will demonstrate the feasibility of the in-space production of large aperture antenna structures. The use of a novel open cell foam, previously developed for NASA space antennas, will allow the deployment of reflectors at low cost and very low transport volume compared… More

The threat of explosive-laden vehicles driving in close proximity to military installations has been a major concern since the attacks on the USMC headquarters in Beirut in 1983. The large quantity of explosive a single truck can carry combined with the sheer power of a heavy vehicle driven at high… More

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is soliciting proposals for new missile materials to expand the capability of current air-to-ground missile systems. This expansion of capability dictates the development of lighter weight materials that are capable of short duration exposures to temperatures as… More

New missile materials are needed to expand the capability of current air-to-ground missile systems. This expansion of capability dictates the development of lighter weight materials that are capable of short duration exposures to temperatures as high as

Any manned missions to extraterrestrial locations will require shelter structures for a variety of purposes ranging from habitat usage to biomass production. Such shelters need to be constructed in such a way to minimize stowed volume and payload weight. The structures must also be very durable… More

During lunar exploration, regolith is both the major available resource and a substantial obstacle in establishing a long-term presence. The fine surface dust is highly abrasive and can both be a health hazard for the crew and the main contributor to equipment failure. Regolith is also the only… More

Large aperture antennas are of interest to NASA for applications in establishing high-speed communication relays for interplanetary missions. Design goals include 20 meter apertures. In order to minimize mission costs at these large diameters, weight must be severely restricted. Adherent… More

The lunar surface is to a large extent covered with a dust layer several meters thick. Known as lunar regolith, it poses a hazard in the form of dust clouds being generated by all forms of gas expansions in the high vacuum environment of the lunar surface. This is especially pronounced during… More

Aging and durability of aircraft in both the military and civilian sectors are becoming major issues as the existing fleet continues to age. Additionally, the increased use of composite structures in the civilian fleet, such as in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380, make the… More

Over the next few decades, NASA plans to launch a number of planetary probes to and return the samples to Earth for detailed investigation. Due to the rapid expanse of space exploration, a need has been identified for the proper handling of extraterrestrial samples. Not only must the sample return… More

This SBIR project will address the combined effects of aerothermal heating, rain erosion, and moisture and gas diffusion on the degradation of interceptor missile radomes designed for hypersonic travel. A novel method of protecting hypersonic interceptor missiles from the rigors experienced at… More

The lunar surface is, to a large extent, covered with a dust layer several meters thick. Known as lunar regolith, it has been produced by meteorite impacts since the formation of a solid lunar surface billions of years ago. The regolith, while promising as a future building material for lunar… More

This SBIR project will develop a new technology for the removal and destruction of NOx pollutants from diesel engine exhaust. Four important issues will be addressed in the project. The first issue will be applying a zeolite coating to reticulated catalyst supports with the correct chemical… More

The US Navy is seeking ways to treat typical ship-generated waste to minimize storage space required for waste storage during long-term deployments, with a special emphasis on the large items produced during cargo and ordinance handling. The best way to do this is to treat the waste as a resource,… More

Outdoor wood-fired boilers (OWB) are gaining in popularity for heating homes. As energy prices have risen, sales of OWBs are doubling each year because they provide a lower cost solution and use renewable fuel. There is concern about their air emissions, however. OWBs typically emit 18 times the… More

NASA is soliciting new concepts for lightweight stabilized inflatables in regards to low weight, high storage density, and ease of deployment. What most of the inflatable concepts are lacking is the ability for integrated structural members that do not require permanent inflation pressure. Any… More

New pollution control technologies are needed for small oil- and coal-fired industrial boiler located throughout the United States. Although each unit is relatively small, the vast number of these units creates a significant air pollution source, especially in heavily populated areas, that emits… More

There is growing concern about the particulate pollution emitted by outdoor wood-fired boilers (0WBs) and their related health effects. These systems are also referred to as outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters or outdoor wood-fired furnaces. There are currently over 500,000 OWBs installed, primarily… More