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A Lightweight, Structural Foam with Fire, Thermal, Noise and Impact Protection

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
55030 		Program Year/Program:
2001 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
990972 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
The Millennium Centre 1142 Middle Creek Road Triadelphia, WV -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2001
Title: A Lightweight, Structural Foam with Fire, Thermal, Noise and Impact Protection
Agency: NASA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $0.00
 

Abstract:

NASA is interested in innovative manufacturing methods and materials that will significantly reduce the cost and weight of general aviation aircraft, while improving cabin comfort and crash-worthiness. Energy absorption, in the form of projectile impact and crash protection, and fire resistance are major safety benefits, and noise reduction is a serious comfort consideration. Several engineering materials offer very attractive specific mechanical properties (the ratio of properties to the density of the material). But a material being developed by Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd. of Triadelphia, WV, is unique in its combination of these properties with fire resistance, impact resistance/energy absorption, and the potential for large-scale, low-cost manufacture with relatively simple processing equipment. It is a lightweight foam made by the thermal decomposition of petroleum or coal precursors. Shown in the figures below, it can be fabricated in a variety of densities and cell structures to meet the weight, mechanical, and energy absorption requirements of a given application. Carbon foam offers the aviation industry a lightweight, structural material with superior energy and thermal-absorbing properties and enhanced fire protection.

Principal Investigator:

Darren 1. Ph.D.
Project Manager
dkr@trl.com

Business Contact:

Brian E. Joseph
President
3045475800
bej@trl.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Touchstone Research Laboratory
The Millenium Centre, Box 100B Triadelphia, WV 26059

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