You are here

Heterogeneously Structured Conductive Resin Matrix/Graphite Fiber Composites for High Thermally Conductive Structural Applications

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-13-C-0038
Agency Tracking Number: F10B-T01-0083
Amount: $749,998.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF10-BT01
Solicitation Number: 2010.B
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-04-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-03-31
Small Business Information
6402 Needham Lane
Austin, TX -
United States
DUNS: 124697777
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Joseph Koo
 Vice President
 (512) 589-4170
 jkoo@austin.rr.com
Business Contact
 Penelope Koo
Title: President
Phone: (512) 301-4170
Email: pkoo@austin.rr.com
Research Institution
 Florida State U
 Richard Liang
 
Dept. of Indus.&Manuf. Engr. 2525 Pottsdamer St.
Tallahassee, FL 32110-6046
United States

 (850) 645-8984
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

ABSTRACT: In Phase II, major focus will be directed to the performance optimization and scale-up fabrication demonstration of the heterogeneously structured carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) with high through-thickness thermal conductivity for thermal management applications. The major research and development activities are: 1. Surface treatment study of nano- and micro-scale conductive fillers to optimize interfacial bonding, thermal, and mechanical properties in the resultant composites. 2. Study and optimization of sintering parameters to enhance particle connectivity for enhancing through-thickness conductivity. 3. Fabrication study and development to improve and optimize the formation and quality of heterogeneously structured conductive paths of the multiscale conductive fillers. 4. Scale-up fabrication demonstration. 5. Development of preliminary design database. 6. Support of application demonstration study. Success of the proposed effort will lead to an affordable and scalable approach to make thermally conductive (>20 W/mK) structural graphite fiber composites for potential Air Force, DoD, and NASA applications. More importantly, these techniques and manufacturing processes are potentially easy to scale-up and low cost due to utilizing commercially available materials and conventional composite manufacturing processes. BENEFIT: These efforts will provide lightweight"thermal management"solutions that will have applications in composite airframe structural parts. Lack of adequate through-thickness conductivity of current CFRP structures has limited their use in thermal management applications, and requires the use of additional heat sink and dissipation devices that dramatically increase weight and cost considerations. Specifically, this newly developed technology will accelerate the insertion of nanotechnology and nanomaterials into current designs and composite structures using current material systems and manufacturing processes, with expected cost reductions and efficiencies. These activities will lead to unique improvements in"thermal management"capability for commercial aircraft by dissipating heat load during limited aircraft idling time; reducing heating of fuel by electronics by potentially eliminating metal heatsink devices; and simplifying structural design and reduce overall structure weight. Furthermore, effective heat dissipation of aircraft onboard electronics also will lead to high system reliability. Thermal management plays a very vital role in the packaging of high-performance electronic devices. Effective heat dissipation is crucial to enhance the performance and reliability of the packaged device. Market development of this commercial sector will be an additional focus in Phase II.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government