Low-density, high-strength aerogels for 6500 meter man-rated submersibles Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Topic No.: N103-220 Topic Title: Low-density, high-strength aerogels for 6500 meter man-rated submersibles Proposal No.: N103-220-0713 Firm: ASPEN AEROGELS, INC. 30 Forbes Road Building B Northborough, Massachusetts 01532 Contact: Nicholas Zafiropoulos Phone: (508) 466-3127 Web Site: www.aerogel.com Abstract: This project seeks to develop high strength, low density buoyancy material to fill the future needs of manned vehicle exploration of the ultra deep. Since the 1970s, syntactic foams, engineered foams comprised of hollow glass, ceramic or polymer microspheres embedded into a resin matrix, have been the industry standard for providing buoyancy to manned, remote, and autonomous operated vehicles (HOV, ROV and ATV). Syntactic foams are a critical component to the ascent and descent of submersibles, but the industry has reached a strength limit on low density 30 lb/ft3 foams that are capable of being qualified for manned exploration at 6500 meters. 99% of the ocean floor is reachable with submersible activities down to 6500 meters, but the hydrostatic pressure due to water can reach approximately 9,500 psi at this depth. In order for a material to qualify for use at 6500m, it must exhibit crush pressures no less than 15,000 psi. Aspen Aerogels has developed aerogel materials that have the potential to meet the strength and density demands of this application, and proposes to develop this class of aerogels as a solution to meet the mechanical strength demands for deep sea applications. Benefits: Anticipated Benefits The successful development of this material will advance the capabilities of manned submersibles to reach depths of 6500 meters and provide the scientific expansion to: the existence of new lifeforms that have no dependence on solar energy, collisions between oceanic and continental crusts that give rise to major earthquakes, and an understanding of oceanic thermal and material cycling. Aspen Aerogels' proposed technology has an opportunity to be the standard buoyancy material for 6500m manned sea exploration, but because of its high strength at such low density, these aerogels are also capable of making significant positive impacts in light weight structural cores for aerospace, dielectric, blast mitigation, and sporting equipment applications. Potential Commercial Applications This material will find use in small manned submersibles, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). In addition, this novel material will deliver improved performance as a buoyancy material for military submarines and for oil and gas recovery platforms. Return