NASA turns to tiny technology for big profits

NASA is advancing technology that could use large amounts of nanoscale materials to launch rockets and spacecraft lighter than ever before. The Ultra-Light Aerospace Composites project is seeking to intensify the manufacture and use of high-strength carbon nanotube composite materials.

Carbon nanotubes consist of chemically bonded carbon atoms in the form of cylinders whose diameter is less than 1/80 000 the human hair. At this scale, carbon nanotubes are about 100 times stronger than steel and about eight times lighter.

"As NASA pushes the boundaries of space technology for use on the Moon and Mars, lightweight, heavy-duty materials are of interest to many applications," said Jim Reuter, Acting Assistant Administrator of the Technology Mission Directorate. space of NASA. "Our partners play an important role in the maturation of this technology."

Led by NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, a team of researchers is collaborating with other NASA centers, government agencies, universities, and industry partners to advance this technology. Eventually, carbon nanotube materials could be used to make rocket and spacecraft components.

"Ultra-light materials are an exciting area of ​​space technology," said LaNetra Tate, NASA's Game Changing Development Program Manager. "Carbon nanotubes have mechanical properties that promise high gains for future exploration missions."

NASA is conducting research to determine how to build large structures from this material for different applications. To do this, NASA needs a lot more carbon nanotube materials.

That's why NASA's Game Changing Development program has funded a Phase III Innovative Research for Small Business (SBIR) contract with Nanocomp Technologies Inc. of Merrimack, New Hampshire. Nanocomp is employing to strengthen manufacturing capabilities and reduce production costs of high-strength carbon nanotube yarns, building on previous SBIR awards from the Department of Defense and NASA.

"Other government agencies have sown seeds with the start-up technology investments we are harvesting," said Mia Siochi, senior research materials engineer and head of SAC. "The goal of NASA is to start using the largest amounts of Nanocomp material to build structures within a few years."

A 2017 flight test demonstrated that the material can be used for over-packaged composite pressure vessels (COPV) designed to retain fluids under pressure and used in many capacities, such as propellant tanks. The COPV was NASA's first major article built using composites based on carbon nanotubes. Another NASA SBIR Phase III contract has been awarded to San Diego Composites in California. By developing the work started under the SBIR awards of the Phase I and II missile defense agencies, the company will build prototypes of COPV made from carbon nanotube materials.

NASA also works with 11 universities, two companies and the Air Force Research Laboratory through the Space Technology Research Institute (STRI) for ultra-strong composites by computer design. Led by Greg Odegard, a professor at Michigan Technological University, the institute receives $ 15 million over five years to accelerate the development of NASA's carbon nanotube technology. This institute engages 22 professors from universities across the country to conduct modeling work and experimental studies of carbon nanotube materials at the molecular scale, at the macro scale and in between.

"We are taking a multidisciplinary approach to advance this technology and better understand the mechanical properties," said Siochi. "Studies show that we could save about 25% of mass. Each book saved reduces costs and has a real impact on space missions. "

The Super-light Aerospace Composites project is funded by NASA's Game Changing Development program, which aims to advance exploration concepts and provide mission-and-industry-ready technology-ready transition solutions. from NASA. The Technology Transfer and Innovative Research for Small Business program encourages small businesses to develop innovative ideas that meet the specific research and development needs of the federal government. The results of Phase I provide a solid foundation for ongoing development, demonstration and delivery of the innovation proposed in Phase II and follow-up efforts. Phase III supports the commercialization of innovative technologies, products and services resulting from a Phase I or Phase II contract. Both programs are under the direction of NASA Space Technology Missions.

Kristyn Damadeo
NASA Research Center at Langley