Rad Hard Thoraeus Rubber Filters as Durable Shielding for Munitions Electronics

NanoSonic has developed Shape Memory Metal Rubber (SM-MR) skins that exhibit reconfigurable and durable RF properties and can be repeatedly and severely morphed without loss of EMI shielding (-88dB). Recently, it was found that SM-MR exhibits greater gamma ray attenuation relative to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) radiation shielding materials, and does not emit harmful secondary radiation under a 137Cs source. SM-MR offers 2.2% gamma ray attenuation ([gm/cm2]/layer), and demonstrates a 370% weight improvement over COTS shielding materials. It is hypothesized that our Thoraeus Rubber filters shall also exhibit durable radiation resistance upon severe mechanical/vibrational conditions; a property that few, if any, flexible materials exhibit. Structural, high temperature, Thoraeus-like shielding nanocomposites having unique dielectric, optical and multiple controlled electromagnetic properties are realized via NanoSonic"s elegant layer-by-layer nanostructured. MR materials are offered as a cost effective, lightweight coating for hardening critical circuitry to ensure protection of guidance and control components against high power radio frequency (HPRF) energy threats. During Phase I and II, Thoraeus Rubber coatings would be evaluated on representative U.S. precision guided munitions (PGM) to increase the current TRL from 4 to 7. TRL 9 would be reached upon demonstration of HPRF protection as specified in MIL-STD-464. BENEFIT: NanoSonic would produce Rad Hard Thoraeus Rubber shielding materials as non-invasive, lightweight, protective coatings for aerospace platforms. Thoraeus Rubber filters will be primarily transitioned onto U.S. precision guided munitions (PGM) circuitry to ensure protection of guidance and control components against high power radio frequency (HPRF) energy threats as specified in MIL-STD-464. Additional military applications for various forms of the Metal Rubber nanocomposites include biomimetric systems, thermal control system materials, actuators, lightning strike protection, RF shielding for large area structures and sensors. Dual-use civil applications include low modulus conducting electrodes for high strain mechanical actuator and sensor devices, such as in medical prostheses or implanted bio-electronic devices, lightweight mechanical, electrical and thermal interconnection of electronic components on conventional circuit boards, and lightweight electronic flex circuits, flexible displays and smart electronic fabrics, and mechanically flexible coatings for systems requiring physically-robust electromagnetic shielding, ground planes or electrical interconnection.