Corrosion Resistant Enhanced Surface Technology (CREST) Navy STTR FY2014.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2014.A Topic No.: N14A-T014 Topic Title: Corrosion Resistant Enhanced Surface Technology (CREST) Proposal No.: N14A-014-0009 Firm: Luminit, LLC 1850 W 205th Street Torrance, California 90501-1526 Contact: Russell Kurtz Phone: (310) 320-1066 Web Site: www.luminitco.com Abstract: To address the need for corrosion inhibiting surface modifications to limit or control cathodic current density on structural materials, Luminit, LLC, and the Advanced Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University propose to develop a new Corrosion Resistant Enhanced Surface Technology (CREST) system based on a modification to our electrophoretic deposition manufacturing process which presently fabricates custom engineered nano- and micro-textured nickel, chrome, and silver surfaces. The proposed novel corrosion inhibition technology intends to take full advantage of the extraordinary mechanical, optical, and chemical properties of uniformly overlapping micron size graphene flakes applied with our proven low-cost, large-scale nanostructured surface fabrication, coating, and replication process methodology. In Phase I, Luminit will demonstrate feasibility by developing a scaled down version of the CREST coating technology, applying it to representative structural materials like fasteners and bushings used in the maritime environment, and conducting proof-of-concept testing. During Phase II we plan to develop the in-situ testing methods to ensure correct coating thickness, and set up a limited production system to fabricate fasteners whose cathode current density potential is significantly reduced. Benefits: When complete, the CREST will be a breakthrough in the area of producing fasteners that reduce corrosion damage to the material the fastener attaches to. The one- or two-atom thick layer of corrosion-resistant material, bonded to the cathodic material, will protect the anodic bulk material at that interface. This has applications in virtually every construction field, especially in aircraft and ships. Just in the U.S., corrosion is estimated to cost $276 billion annually; CREST technology could reduce that number significantly. Return