Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Enhanced Composite Structures

During the Phase I Program, a composite structure will be selected from one of Aurora"s current UAS platforms which will serve as the baseline for the program and provide a commercialization path for the carbon nanomaterial (CNM) enhanced composite structures technology. Design and manufacturing principals for the proposed CNM enhanced composite structures will be developed as part of the Phase I Program. Test articles will be designed and fabricated using the developed principles and subsequently tested to determine system performance. Testing will consist of both mechanical and electrical properties and an evaluation of the embedment of conductive media and other portions of the developed CNM technology. Based on test and fabrication results, the CNM applications and associated materials and process parameters will be revised in preparation for the fabrication of a full-scale article during the Phase II Program. BENEFIT: The need for carbon nanomaterial (CNM) enhanced composite structures is primarily being driven by the U.S. defense industry for future aircraft development programs. The technology developed as a result of this program would find applications in both military and commercial aircraft applications. Aurora will work to develop this technology and transition any processes or techniques developed during the course of this program to the military and commercial sectors. Application of this technology to Department of Defense programs will help to allow reduced platform weight, decrease maintenance costs and provide the airframe designer with increased design possibilities. Aurora will market the design and manufacturing techniques developed during this program as a tool in the acquisition and development of new aircraft programs in both the military and commercial sectors. It is expected that the early market will include Department of Defense contractors and specifically programs focused on the development of advanced composite aircraft structures.