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Nanocomposite Infrared transparent windows and domes: a low cost and superior replacement for sapphire

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: DASG6003P0237
Agency Tracking Number: 031-0788
Amount: $69,582.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Suite 106, 120 Centennial Ave.,
Piscataway, NJ 08854
United States
DUNS: 042939277
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mohit Jain
 Scientist
 (732) 885-1088
 mohitjain@nanopowderenterprises.com
Business Contact
 Gary Tompa
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (732) 885-1088
Email: GSTompa@aol.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Sapphire has been the dominant infrared transparent material for quite some time, and polycrystalline materials such as, magnesium fluoride, aluminum oxynitride and yttrium oxide, have been used to a limited extent when the performance criteria have beenless stringent. Polycrystalline and transparent oxide ceramics that have a cubic crystal structure offer an opportunity as a superior replacement for sapphire, provided a nanocrystalline grain size is maintained in the fully sintered state. However, it hasremained a challenge to produce fully dense and transparent nanocrystalline ceramics, using nanoparticles as starting material and consolidating by established sintering techniques. We propose a radically different approach wherein ultrafine `highlysinterable' nanocomposite particles will be produced using our newly developed chemical synthesis process, and consolidated using a rapid sintering process with exceptionally short soak times. Accordingly, in Phase I of the program, the feasibility ofproducing nanocrystalline and fully dense transparent ceramics will be demonstrated, along with characterization of the mechanical and optical properties. Working with our collaborators in the industry and a federal laboratory, we anticipate transitioningthe technology into military and commercial applications by the end of Phase II. Transparent ceramics offer a number of different opportunities in both military and civilian applications, including infrared windows in heat seeking missiles and opticalsystems. A powder consolidation approach, which is the subject of this proposal, is an attractive low cost alternative to melt processing and vapor deposition processes that are used to produce single crystals.

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

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