The objective of this proposed effort is to identify and develop new and robust buffer layer materials for the recently developed metal-coated YBCO superconducting tape technology. While the current choice of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and cerium oxide as buffer layers has been appropriate for… More

Not Available Applique containing a few percent carbon nanofiber additive can have excellent lightning strike protection while also having a very low electromagnetic cross section, making such appliques useful for aerospace assets with reduced signatures. The carbon nanofibers additive is… More

65417 More efficient fusion energy systems will require low-activation-based advanced structural materials for the first wall reactor in order to sustain high radioactive doses and stresses at elevated temperatures. SiC-based fiber reinforced composites are attractive, but these composites can… More

65418 Increasing the operational temperatures of coal combustion plants will increase efficiency. The use of higher temperatures will in turn require the replacement of currently-used common alloy steels used as structural components. These components need to withstand temperatures above 700¿C… More

This small business innovation research Phase I proposal investigates a newly discovered high temperature amorphous oxide material (Cerablak) for use in a broad range of BMDO applications. Cerablak is thermally stable and remains amorphous up to 1400 C inoxidizing environments. No other oxide… More

60633 Fuel cells are widely viewed as the most desirable future power generation method, because of their unique combination of high efficiency, low emissions, size flexibility, and quiet operation. Despite these unique features, the high cost of fuel cells compared with competing technologies… More

Higher inlet temperatures for turbine engines will provide significant benefits in fuel efficiency and performance for both military and commercial air vehicles. To accomplish this goal, new generation thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with superiorreliability and durability will be needed. The… More

Higher inlet operational temperatures for turbine engines is expected to provide significant benefits in fuel efficiency and performance for both military and commercial air vehicles. To accomplish this goal, new generation of thermal barrier coatingswith superior reliability and durability will be… More

60633 Fuel cells are widely viewed as the most desirable future power generation method, because of their unique combination of high efficiency, low emissions, size flexibility, and quiet operation. Despite these unique features, the high cost of fuel cells compared with competing technologies… More

The main objective of the proposed Phase I project is to demonstrate a simple, scalable process to produce multiple, highly oriented, and longitudinally aligned 50-1000 nm wide YBCO filaments on Ni based tapes for efficient power generation application.The proposed process will take advantage of the… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will investigate a new class of highly disordered materials that possess unique chemical, physical, and high temperature properties. The disorder appears to be stable over a range of temperatures, raising the possibility of use as high… More

"A low-cost chemical solution derived material is being proposed as an environmentally-friendly corrosion resistant coating material to combat the corrosion problems faced by the MDA. The coating material is a newly discovered inorganic oxide, calledCerablak, which is amorphous, or glassy, in… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will investigate the use of a new high temperature amorphous oxide material, CerablakTM, as a protective coating on components used in the molten aluminum industry. CerablakTM is a newly discovered sol-gel derived material that is thermally… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will investigate the use of a new high temperature amorphous oxide material, CerablakTM, as a protective coating on components used in the molten aluminum industry. CerablakTM is a newly discovered sol-gel derived material that is thermally… More

Under Phase I effort, Applied Thin Films, Inc. (ATFI) discovered a new process to deposit oxide buffer layers for HTS coated conductors that is economical, scalable, and has demonstrated excellent performance with YBCO films (current densities of 1MA/cm2). The process is called ECONO (Epitaxial… More

Under Phase I effort, Applied Thin Films, Inc. (ATFI) discovered a new process to deposit oxide buffer layers for HTS coated conductors that is economical, scalable, and has demonstrated excellent performance with YBCO films (current densities of 1MA/cm2). The process is called ECONO (Epitaxial… More

The proposed effort relates to the use of Cerablak?, an amorphous-based black oxide material, as a coating for protection of metallic thermal protection systems (TPS) to be used in reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). This material shows potential to be a coating that meets all of NASA?s requirements… More

In this Phase I SBIR project, a low-cost oxide-oxide interface coating-free ceramic matrix composite (CMC) will be developed for radomes for next-generation high speed missiles. The innovative and key component of the CMC is a newly patented matrixmaterial (CerablakT) based on aluminum phosphate… More

Space transportation and other vehicles entering the earth?s atmosphere at hypersonic speeds undergo aerodynamic heating which necessitates thermal protection systems (TPS) on exterior surfaces. Future reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) will require TPS durable over several missions with rapid… More

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being targeted for many military and commercial applications due to their light weight and high temperature stability. Their deployment is hampered by limited environmental durability. The Navy, under the JSF program, is evaluating a high performance CMC for an… More

A new material, based on a thermally-stable amorphous aluminophosphate composition (CerablakT), was investigated in Phase I, and demonstrated highly desirable dielectric properties suitable for next-generation hypersonic radomes. CerablakT is a low cost, solution derived material which has a unique… More

78188S Ultra-Supercritical (USC) coal-fired power plants are being designed to meet the Vision 21 goals of fuel efficiency and environmental emission standards. The material systems for these plants will be required to limit degradation occuring from corrosion at elevated temperatures. Due to… More

The US Navy is seeking improved fire protection systems with the primary goal to reduce the areal density based on the current 1 lb/sq ft baseline value. Recent tests with intumescent coatings were largely unsuccessful. Passive fire protection systems are preferable due to their relatively inert… More

Barrier coatings to prevent moisture ingress into radome structures of advanced missile systems are a critical need for the Navy. Ingress of moisture during missile storage can degrade the critical sensor and guidance electronic components housed within the missile radome. The US Navy is… More

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being targeted for many military and commercial applications due to their lightweight and high temperature stability. CMCs possess high strength, and are being investigated for use in next-generation aircraft engines. CMCs show great promise for this… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to investigate synthetic approaches to develop specialty glass microspheres based on aluminum phosphate compositions. The proposed approach is targeted toward synthesis of high emissivity hollow microspheres that are stable to elevated… More

Applied Thin Films, Inc. proposes to use and an innovative aluminum phosphate solution based coating material to act as a sacrificial barrier layer to protect zirconia thermal barrier coatings from molten CMAS ingress and attack. The proposed coating material, known as CerablakT, will ideally… More

Extending gun barrel life has been a long-standing goal for the US Air Force and other DoD agencies. Currently-used chrome plated barrels are susceptible to erosion and corrosion which affects the accuracy of fired bullets due to material loss along the inner surface. The primary cause of barrel… More

Compact, high-energy-density capacitors will be the key enabling technology for future pulse-power weapon systems that are being pursued by the DoD. These capacitors convert steady electrical energy into short pulses that are needed to energize loads (required for directed energy weapons). There… More

Fouling occurs whenever gas or liquid flows through the pipes of heat exchangers, costing billions of dollars worldwide as well as increased energy use. If fouling were reduced, a corresponding reduction could be made in the heat exchanger surface area, providing more efficient heat transfer and… More

The US Navy and other Department of Defense agencies are facing an urgent need for new and improved radome materials for advanced missile systems. High temperature sealants on radome structures of advanced missile systems is a critical need, since ingress of moisture during missile storage can… More

High temperature, high energy density capacitors will serve a critical technology path enabling military applications such as power pulse weaponry, power conditioning devices, as well as many aerospace, automotive and petroleum applications. With DoD's next-generation initiatives toward… More

The USAF is seeking to replace UV-susceptible adhesive that bonds the solar cell to a cover glass for enhancing conversion efficiency and to improve durability. Adhesives used for space solar modules need to meet many critical requirements including adhesion strength, optical transparency, thermal… More

Environmental degradation of aerospace turbine components is a major concern for aircraft and power generation systems, and various surface treatments are utilized to extend the lifetimes of these critical components. This Phase II project is targeted toward extending the durability of thermal… More

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are emerging as mission-critical materials for a broad range of defense applications and among them, their utility for next-generation aero-turbine components are currently being pursued. SiC-based CMCs are leading candidates for this application due to their high… More

High cost and poor environmental performance of CMCs are limiting their deployment in many defense applications. In particular, the JSF platform requires improved durability for a targeted CMC system which is already qualified and in production. Primary motivation for this Phase I effort is to… More

Pursuits of highly efficient and reliable solar cells place high demands on the materials and processes used in their fabrication. For extraterrestrial cells, specific efficiency is of utmost importance, and thus the ability to reduce module weight without impacting efficiency is highly desirable.… More

This Phase II.5 effort will further develop and mature the sealing technology relevant to JSF exhaust ceramic matrix composite (CMC) nozzle components. Significant concerns related to the poor durability of the CMC in the engine environment remain and this sealing technology, under Phase II, has… More

New materials and processes are needed to achieve performance requirements of future ballistic missile defense systems (BMDS). Ever increasing demands on achievable speed and performance require thermally stable, lightweight and mechanically robust thermal protection systems to protect underlying… More

Heat exchangers are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, automotive, aerospace, and other advanced energy systems (such as fuel systems). Fouling of heat exchangers is a serious and longstanding problem that can result in decreased heat transfer efficiency, higher resistance to fluid… More

Heat exchangers are widely used in power generation, chemical production, petrochemical refining, air conditioning, automotive, aerospace, and many emerging industries including hybrid vehicles, fuel cell systems, thermal solar, and biomass processing plants. Fouling of heat exchangers is a serious… More