Super Lightweight, Rad Hard, Morphing, Synergistic Structures for BMDS Kill Vehicles

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 SM-MR morphing structures shall also exhibit durable radiation resistance upon reconfiguration; a property that few, if any, flexible materials exhibit. Typical highly filled or metal evaporated nanocomposites crack and spall upon flexation, and cannot be repeatedly mechanically stretched without rupture. SM-MR is based on covalently bound high z, dense, Au and Ag nanoparticles, rather than Pb. During Phase I, radiation shielding would be verified for SM-MR during potential disparate space array morphed configurations to demonstrate durability, stowability, and reconfigurability for space tolerant BMDS structures with self-healing properties to reach TRL6. TRL8 and 9 shall be reached during Phase II and III with assistance from our space systems prime partner upon flight testing and integration.