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Richardson, Texas (November 12,
2003)
Zyvex Corporation today announced the Phase II award of a
NASA SBIR program entitled, “Hierarchical composites
comprising continuous carbon nanotube composite fibers in
a nanotube-reinforced matrix.” The program’s objective
is to develop ultra-high-strength, low-weight composites for
aerospace applications. Specifically, this work will enable
the combination of continuous CNT fibers with a CNT-reinforced
host polymer.
The two-year program builds on
a carbon nanotube functionalization approach that increases
carbon nanotube solubility without damaging or degrading nanotube
properties, and on continuous carbon nanotube composite fibers
with high specific strength and toughness. This program combines
these approaches for the first time and is expected to result
in mechanical properties exceeding those of any current carbon
fiber/polymer composites.
“The fact that our SBIR award
has been extended into Phase II is extremely gratifying and
a clear indication of the importance of nanocomposite materials
to NASA,” said John Randall, PhD, Chief Technical Officer
at Zyvex. “Zyvex’s functionalization technology
is a real breakthrough in the ability to produce excellent
dispersions and CNT interaction with the composite matrix.”
The original program was started
with the Phase I award in February 2003. The Zyvex team will
continue their work on an innovative nanotube surface chemistry
and demonstrate the fabrication of hierarchical composites
with enhanced performance.
The current materials research
industry needs to be able to effectively process CNTs in order
to take advantage of their extraordinary material properties
for commercial applications. The NASA award on nanocomposites
is just one application of Zyvex’s rational engineering
of CNT surfaces.
This project is an integral part
of Zyvex’s mission of providing flexible, automated
manufacturing at ever decreasing size scales.
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