CNT-Enhanced Mid-Frequency Sonar Dome Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-058 Topic Title: CNT-Enhanced Mid-Frequency Sonar Dome Proposal No.: N121-058-0530 Firm: Metis Design Corporation 205 Portland St 4th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Contact: Seth Kessler Phone: (617) 661-5616 Web Site: www.MetisDesign.com Abstract: Sonar domes provide protection to sonar arrays by imposing a physical barrier to eroding fluid flow as well as preventing incidental impact. Furthermore, they provide aerodynamic shapes over the pressure hull to minimize drag and turbulence. Traditionally, they are fabricated of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), since composites have superior specific strength and stiffness, are inherently resistant to corrosion and fatigue, and large sections can be molded in a single parts. Fiber and matrix are selected to closely match acoustic impedance with the surrounding sea-water for most efficient sonar performance. Now that glass reinforced plastic (GRP) sonar domes have been proven for mid-frequency surface combatant applications, the Navy is seeking advanced materials that can improve acquisition and maintenance costs, mechanical robustness, and acoustical performance. Thus, Metis Design Corporation (MDC) is proposing the introduction of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) into composite sonar domes. CNT have the ability to greatly improve impact resistance while allowing the reduction in cross-sectional thickness, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, with their mechanical improvements they allow the potential for using a lower density and/or modulus host composite system, thus lowering acoustic impedance. MDC will partner with Goodrich EPP who manufactures several Navy sonar domes for evaluating material performance. Benefits: Once successfully demonstrated through a Phase II effort, there exists a broad commercial market for this material. Beyond mid-frequency sonar domes, there are other sonar domes and acoustic windows that could benefit from this technology, not only for surface combatants, but submarines as well. MDC has explicitly partnered with Goodrich Engineered Polymer Products (EPP) for this project since they presently manufacture GRP, CFRP and hybrid sonar domes and acoustic windows for multiple Navy ships and submarines. This puts MDC in a good position to commercially transition the technology quickly for DoD applications. Following successful implementation in the Navy, there is potential for this technology to be used for DoD radar dome applications as well, and commercial sonar and radar domes baring ITAR restrictions. Return