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Satellite Charge Suppression with Carbon Nanofibers

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: F19628-02-C-0031
Agency Tracking Number: 001NM-2693
Amount: $734,597.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2002
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
141 W. Xenia Ave., PO Box 579
Cedarville, OH 45314
United States
DUNS: 173666215
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ronald Jacobsen
 Research Scientist
 (937) 766-2020
 rljacobsen@apsci.com
Business Contact
 Max Lake
Title: President
Phone: (937) 766-2020
Email: mllake@apsci.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

"During this project, Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI), and its strategic allies, seek to exploit the unique combination of electrical and dimensional properties found in carbon nanofibers to minimize both differential and absolute charging of satellites, andthe dangers presented by such charging. Methods to be developed include: 1) incorporation of nanofibers into the dielectric materials commonly used in satellite (e.g., KaptonO, TeflonO, and FR4 circuit board material) to allow these materials to bleedcharge directly, 2) intercalation of nanofibers with compounds that enhance secondary electron emission, and 3) exploitation of nanofiber field emission properties to eject electrons when certain voltage thresholds are exceeded. Current forms ofconductive KaptonO have problems with reduced mechanical properties and electrical failure due to matrix expansion during extremes of thermal cycling. The high aspect ratio of the nanofibers will overcome these difficulties, providing reliableconductivity over a wide temperature range without degradation of mechanical properties. The final product will be a class of materials that simultaneously exploit all three channels of charge mitigation cited above."

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

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