EM Tailored Thoraeus Rubber for SATCOM Sensors with Enhanced Survivability

ABSTRACT: NanoSonic has developed ultra-lightweight (0.008 g/cm2), Thoraeus Rubber (TR) that demonstrate EMI shielding up to -100 dB from S-band (2 GHz) through Ka-band (40 GHz) and protection against nuclear ionizing radiation. Sub-GHz measurements are underway to demonstrate TR as a shielding replacement for copper. Current TR materials are based on thin films produced via self-assembly manufacturing techniques utilizing graded atomic number (Z) nanoparticles on space resistant fiber carriers. For this program, NanoSonic proposes to transfer this unique EM hardening technique to carbon nanotube and metasurfaces to further develop materials with both tunable and multiple controlled constitutive properties (permeability, permittivity, and conductivity). NanoSonic offers uniquely EM tailored TR nanocomposites herein as a simple and cost effective material solution to assure electronics survivability in Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) against harsh natural or manmade EM environments. EM performance as a function of mass density shall be demonstrated (80 dB at 1GHz) for a family of TR materials relative to COTS products according to MIL-STD-188-2 to achieve TRL 5. Modeling and simulation shall be carried out to predict and demonstrate EM tunability via wave permeation through controlled reflectivity, transmissivity, and absorptivity. BENEFIT: NanoSonic would primarily develop Thoraeus Rubber hybrid nanocomposites as cost effective, super lightweight, EM tailored materials for assured sensor operation on SATCOM and ISR systems that are susceptible to long term and prompt radiation events. The innovative super lightweight nanocomposites would be primarily transitioned to space systems deployed in LEO and hostile EM environments that must survive ionizing radiation or a HEMP. TR readily-integratable electronics protection (EP) nanocomposites shall serve a broad range of military and civilian applications including avionic and communication systems on board commercial aircraft from personal electronic devices and stray radar energy. Dual-use military applications for various forms of Metal Rubber nanocomposites include highly mechanically robust EMI and radiation shielding appliques. Additional applications include biomimetric systems, thermal control system materials, actuators, lightning strike protection, RF shielding for large area structures and sensors.