Conformal Highly Conductive Graphene Coatings with IR Transparency Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-145 Topic Title: Conformal Highly Conductive Graphene Coatings with IR Transparency Proposal No.: N112-145-0046 Firm: Systems and Materials Research Corporation 1300 West Koenig Lane Suite 230 Austin, Texas 78756 Contact: David Irvin Phone: (512) 757-5441 Web Site: www.systemsandmaterials.com Abstract: Systems and Materials Research Corporation (SMRC) proposes a low cost, thermally reduced, conformal, non-line-of-sight graphene based conductive coating. Graphene has received much attention for being highly conductive and transparent in the visible and near-infrared region. To date, graphene has been expensive to produce and process. In conjunction with Texas State University -San Marcos' Institute for Nanophase Research, we are co-developing low cost graphene coatings that are IR transparent. Starting with naturally occurring humic acid extracted from lignite coal, we process the material in aqueous solutions culminating in a reductive bake-out at 600�C to produce 1 to 5 layer graphene films that are highly conductive and highly transmissive in the visible and 3-5�m range. These films can be produced on flat or domed structures. In addition to producing graphene samples for testing, we will also model the refractive index matching needed to produce antireflective top coat or interlayers to maximize transmission and decrease reflective losses. We will measure the radio frequency (RF) attenuation from 8-110 Ghz using our in-house stock of RF transceivers. Benefits: This proposed research will benefit both military and civilian sectors. For the Navy, it will improve its air superiority by improving the mission criticality of domes for the AIM-9X air-to-air missile. This can then expand into other heat seeking systems across the DoD. The major benefit for the civilian sector will be in the production of low cost visible and IR transparent electrodes for use in LED's and photovoltaics. Starting with a low cost material and by using aqueous processing, the full scale production rate costs will decrease the cost of photovoltaic cell to enable our independence from foreign oil. Return