Reliable Manufacturing of Scandia-Doped Tungsten Powders for Thermionic Cathodes Navy STTR FY2015.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2015.A Topic No.: N15A-T010 Topic Title: Reliable Manufacturing of Scandia-Doped Tungsten Powders for Thermionic Cathodes Proposal No.: N15A-010-0009 Firm: nGimat, LLC 2436 Over Drive, Suite B Lexington, Kentucky 40511-2637 Contact: Stephen Johnson Phone: (859) 259-3637 Web Site: www.ngimat.com Abstract: In this STTR effort nGimat will partner with the University of Kentucky to develop a new process for manufacturing scandia-doped tungsten powder for use in vacuum tube cathode devices. While a significant amount of research over the last several decades has shown promise for scandate cathode materials, reliable manufacturing processes that enable commercialization of this technology have remained elusive. nGimat will use its years of proven history and experience in powder manufacturing to develop this cathode chemistry using a reliable, consistent manufacturing technique. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the overall proposed approach, and Phase II will focus on further powder optimization, manufacturing scale-up, and cathode device testing. The end result of the entire STTR effort will be the introduction of scandia-doped powder into the cathode industry, thereby enabling new technologies related to high-power radio-frequency and terahertz devices. Benefits: The anticipated public benefits of this STTR effort will be the advancement in military technology that require high-current density electron beams. Such applications include radio-frequency and terahertz devices, and tunable free-electron lasers. By advancing the military's available capabilities, the public at large benefits. Potential non-military applications of this technology include vacuum tube devices for the communications, medical, space, and security industries. Return