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Reactive Materials with Reduced Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
97876 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
A102-049-0070 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
ARMY 10-049 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Reactive Materials with Reduced Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W15QKN-11-C-0024
Award Amount: $70,000.00
 

Abstract:

Advanced reactive materials (RM) with reduced electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity are needed by the Army. Nanoscale thermite compositions are of particular interest because of the fast reaction rates and high flame temperatures generated during reaction. Unfortunately, in many cases, the materials are so reactive that they are impractical to work with. One route to improving ESD insensitivity is to embed the nanoparticles in a polymeric matrix, which insulates the particles from accidental discharge. However, significant challenges exist with traditional polymeric nanocomposite processing, including achieving monodisperse, non-agglomerated particle suspensions. These challenges only increase with larger batch sizes, making production scale-up another significant challenge. Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) proposes to develop polymeric nanothermite composites using a novel, patented process called nanoinfusion. Nanoinfusion processing technology allows for in-situ formation of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, producing polymer nanocomposites with monodisperse nanoparticle content. Nanoinfusion is not a liquid dispersion process, and there is no handling of loose nanoparticles. There is no route for particle agglomeration in this process, eliminating the most significant processing challenge associated with nanoparticle synthesis and mixing. Nanoinfusion is scaleable to meet large scale production needs, while safely and consistently achieving excellent nanoparticle dispersion and size uniformity.

Principal Investigator:

Michael Rauscher
Research Engineer
9373201877
rauschermd@crgrp.com

Business Contact:

Stephen D. Vining
VP Government Programs
9373201877
viningsd@crgrp.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH 45440

EIN/Tax ID: 311517769
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No