Selective Integration of Carbon Nanotubes into Composite Structure for Localized Property Enhancement Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-149 Topic Title: Selective Integration of Carbon Nanotubes into Composite Structure for Localized Property Enhancement Proposal No.: N112-149-1057 Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated 1 Riverside Circle Suite 400 Roanoke, Virginia 24016 Contact: Dan Metrey Phone: (540) 961-4509 Web Site: www.lunainnovations.com Abstract: The benefits of enhancing structural composite materials with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are well known. However, the costs associated with the incorporation of CNTs throughout composite hardware are excessive. Selective use of a low concentration of CNTs in localized sections of interest offers a cost effective solution. The placement of CNTs in critical areas such as around fastener holes, ply drop-offs, bond lines, and edges could greatly enhance the performance of composite components without significantly driving up fabrication costs. Cost-effective and fabrication-friendly methods of selectively incorporating CNTs are desired. Luna Innovations Incorporated has developed inexpensive catalyst-free CNT manufacturing processes and has demonstrated the ability to produce and incorporate thin films of carbon nanoreinforcement into composite structures. Recent programs at Luna have utilized a seamless thin film application of carbon nanoreinforcement to produce composite panels that show a significant increase in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) without a decrease in in-plane properties. Luna will combine their advanced catalyst-free CNT fabrication capabilities with their thin film incorporation techniques to achieve cost-effective and seamless application of small quantities of CNTs for enhancing performance in critical areas of composite components. Benefits: Luna expects to commercialize catalyst-free Carbon Nanotube (CNT) transfer films for use in enhancing the performance of composite material components. Improving composite component strength and endurance with this technology will have far ranging applications wherever polymer composites are used. Beyond applications for the military, the materials and processes developed will be directly applicable to commercial aircraft and wind turbines. Furthermore, the processes indentified are likely to locally increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of the composites which is often desirable for reduced thermal stresses and EMI shielding. Return