Lightweight Electrical Power Cable Production

In this SBIR Program, Structured Materials Industries, Inc. www.structuredmaterials.com (SMI), working with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) will develop graphene wire, as a lightweight higher conductivity superior electrical power transmission cable to present copper (or aluminum) wire. Replacing metal wiring with graphene wire will result in significant weight savings for space, military, and commercial craft; translating directly to reduced fuel consumption, extended operational parameters, and increased payload. The technology developed in this SBIR will ultimately be extended to many other systems with electrical or electronic subcomponents. In prior wire work, SMI demonstrated the concept of producing lightweight, highly conductive wire based on multiple layers of graphene. Calculations based on that work showed that a greater than 50% weight reduction is possible by replacing copper wires with graphene wires. The weight savings increased with higher amperage wires. We will build upon the prior work and demonstrate technology for manufacturable production of graphene wire to NASA performance specifications. We will also produce and deliver samples of lightweight graphene wire for evaluation by our NASA sponsors.