Multifunctional Shielding and Self-Healing HybridSil Smart Composites for Space

NanoSonic has recently developed multifunctional shielding and self-healing HybridSil (HS) smart composites via the inclusion of innovative nanoshell inclusions. These lightweight yet high-strength rapidly self-healing materials combined with NanoSonic's Metal Rubber™ (MR) shielding nano-additives and are offered herein as protection systems for NASA vehicles, habitat modules, and pressure vessel structures. The conductive aspect of Metal Rubber also enables damage detection. This technology may overcome the current bottleneck of damage tolerance for current composites that form nearly undetectable cracks upon impact that impart drastic effects on the structural survivability. HS-MR self-healing composites offer both self-healing and damage detection, as well as the added functionality of very high levels of electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) without the need for additional heavy layers. MR exhibits EMI SE of greater than -100 dB upon exposure to a blow torch, repeated cold flexing at -50 ?C, and irradiation under a 60Co source. During Phase I, TRL 5 shall be reached upon demonstration of damage tolerant, self-healing structural composites with assistance from our radiation expert STTR partner, CSU, and commercial space partner. During Phase II, TRL 7 shall be achieved upon demonstrated damage detection and self-healing in a representative flight environment with our defense prime partner.