N112-097 TITLE: Lightweight Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding System for Aircraft Avionics

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-275, V-22 Osprey

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports):  This topic is "ITAR Restricted."  The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data.  Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a novel EMI shielding system for aircraft electronic components using advanced lightweight materials that provide increased shielding.

DESCRIPTION: Advanced aircraft avionics and the potential hazard of artificially generated interference to disrupt electronics are prompting a need for improved EMI shielding materials that can reduce signal interference between electronic equipment. This need is even more critical due to the growing application of low-power and miniaturized electronics. Current EMI shielding materials include conventional metals or metal particles embedded in a matrix. However, these materials are of considerable weight and are susceptible to corrosion. Therefore, lighter weight and more robust EMI shielding materials are critically needed for aircraft avionics.

The goal of this project is to develop next-generation EMI shielding materials that are lightweight and that will effectively shield electromagnetic radiation in various frequency regions. Recently, significant progress has been made in the area of nanotechnology, in particular, the use of carbon nanotube nanocomposites to achieve robust, lightweight EMI shielding materials for various applications, including avionics. Polymer-based nanocomposite EMI shielding materials that preserve or add EMI shielding efficacy can provide significant weight savings as well as resistance to corrosion and other environmental degradation.

PHASE I: Fabricate a polymer-based carbon nanotube nanocomposite EMI shielding material that exhibits high electrical conductivities. The fabrication process should be well defined and controlled. Initial characterization of nanocomposite electrical conductivities and structural properties should take place. The effect of processing conditions and weight percentage of carbon nanotubes incorporation should be examined.

PHASE II: Transition the fabricated EMI shielding material to an EMI shielding prototype material system. The fabrication process should be optimized and well defined, including optimizing nanotube loading and dispersion in the polymer. The prototype material system should undergo more detailed electrical conductivity and structural characterization. The composite fabrication process and weight percentage of carbon nanotubes should be optimized.

PHASE III: Implement a business case and partner with a DOD supply chain to commercialize the EMI shielding material system to technology readiness level 9.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Both military and commercial avionics can benefit from increased shielding of EMI that occurs naturally in the environment and that is artificially generated to disrupt electronics. Computers are driving more aspects of our daily lives in transportation as well as other sectors of our economy, making us more dependent on microprocessors and electronics in general, and increasing everyone�s susceptibility to the risk of EMI.

REFERENCES:
1. Yang, Y., Gupta, M. C., & Dudley, K. L. (2007). Towards cost-efficient EMI shielding materials using carbon nanostructure-based nanocomposites. Nanotechnology, 18(34). Retrieved from http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/18/34/345701/pdf/0957-4484_18_34_345701.pdf

2. Yang, Y., Gupta, M. C., Dudley, K. L., & Lawrence, R. W. (2005). Conductive carbon nanofiber-polymer foam structures. Advanced Materials, 17(16), 1999-2003.

3. Fletcher, A., Gupta, M. C., Dudley, K. L., & Vedeler. E. (2010). Elastomer foam nanocomposites for electromagnetic dissipation and shielding applications. Composites Science and Technology, 70(6), 953-958.

KEYWORDS: lightweight electromagnetic interference shielding; electronic devices shielding; robust electromagnetic interference shielding; nanoparticles; improved electromagnetic interference shielding; electromagnetic radiation lightweight materials

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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