Tubular, Continuous Bulk Polymerization System Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Topic No.: N132-137 Topic Title: Tubular, Continuous Bulk Polymerization System Proposal No.: N132-137-0193 Firm: Akita Innovations LLC 1770 Salem Street North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 Contact: Lawrence Hancock Phone: (617) 448-1588 Web Site: www.akitainnovations.com Abstract: The proposed project is to develop a scalable manufacturing process for the production of high optical quality, thermoplastic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) which is suitable for the fabrication of extrusion processed and/or molded near diffraction-limited optical devices. Akita Innovations will develop a tubular polymerization system for the continuous bulk thermal radical polymerization of MMA monomer. The polymerization reaction system will be built from inexpensive hardware and will be easily scaled by the assembly of a parallel manufacturing system. Our process will build on known science for the production of low-loss thermoplastics through the careful purification on monomer and reagents, careful selection of polymerization initiators and molecular weight control additives and a novel continuous bulk polymerization process. Benefits: The principal goal of this effort is to develop the materials and manufacturing processes for the development of light weight optical elements that will enable improved performance at reduced size and weight in surveillance equipment for individual warfighters, unmanned aerial vehicles and other demanding DoD applications. Similar benefits in commercial markets for sensors and imaging equipment are likely from reduction in the size, weight and cost of optical elements. Return