CNT enhanced KineticCore FES system

The introduction of USN electric ship initiatives and advanced weapons systems such as rail guns, lasers, and other future pulse loads to future warships creates power and energy demands that exceed what a traditional ship electric plant interfaces have been designed to provide. This creates the problem of satisfying a growing demand for stored energy, while working within the limited space available aboard ship platforms. Gloyer Taylor Laboratories LLC (GTL) KineticCoreTM Flywheel Energy Storage (K-FES) system designs are a tailor made solution to address this USN stored energy demand. Not only does the HAZMAT free K-FES rotor have many of the traditional flywheel advantages, but it goes beyond into the next generation of optimized, all composite flywheel design. But, in even the best flywheel designs, material strength is what ultimately limits future performance gains. Therefore, GTL proposes exploring Carbon Nanotube (CNT) based additives to augmenting its KineticCore flywheel to improve the next generation of energy storage. Theoretical and early experimental CNT augmented carbon composite materials have demonstrated 8%-33% increased strength for a 1%-3% net weight of added CNT materials. Experimentally exploring these laboratory findings and incorporating the results into an improved K-FES design are the objectives of this proposed effort.