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Adaptive Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Nanocomposites with a Unique Morphology

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
77851 		Program Year/Program:
2006 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
F064-017-0401 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
NEI Corporation
400 E Apgar Drive Somerset, NJ -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2006
Title: Adaptive Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Nanocomposites with a Unique Morphology
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9550-06-C-0108
Award Amount: $99,999.00
 

Abstract:

As part of the trend over the years of polymers replacing metals, substituting metallic wing skins with shape memory polymers (SMPs) that have excellent mechanical properties provides an opportunity to develop a new kind of morphing aircraft that can fulfil the needs of future military missions. Additionally, SMPs that can exert large recovery and regenerative stresses are needed for a broad range of space and medical device applications. Building upon work done by our STTR partner at Case Western Reserve University, we propose to develop SMP nanocomposites based on liquid crystalline elastomers to achieve reversible contractions and expansions of more than 100% upon application of a small load and heat, along with substantially higher elastic modulus in the z-direction as compared to those in the x and y directions. The key aspect of the proposed effort is in developing a novel microstructure for the nanocomposite. Nanocomposites will be synthesized and evaluated for their structural, mechanical and shape memory properties. In the Phase I program, we will demonstrate that shape memory LCE nanocomposites can exhibit high elongation-to-break ratio and high modulus in the z-direction, along with excellent shape memory properties.

Principal Investigator:

Stein Schreiber Lee
Senior Scientist
7328683141
slee@neicorporation.com

Business Contact:

Ganesh Skandan
CEO
7328683141
gskandan@neicorporation.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

NEI CORP.
400 Apgar Drive, Suite E Somerset, NJ 08873

EIN/Tax ID: 223568329
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV.
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Contact: Derek Humphrey
Contact Phone: (216) 368-2009
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university