Boron Nanotubes for Ultra High Strength Light Weight Composites

Boron nanotubes have been predicted to have uniquely properties that are rather different than the carbon nanotubes especially their mechanical and electrical properties. At present time limited experimental work has been done to produce boron nanotubes in large scale and their applications are in very early stage of development. In the Phase I we started synthesizing boron nanomaterial and characterized it. In Phase II program original design reactor will be built to produce high volume boron nanotubes. In addition, the produced boron nanomaterial will be incorporate into polymer to fabricate composites. The deliverables to the US Army include: large volume production reactor, boron nanotubes samples, prototypes of composites reinforced with boron nanotubes. Successful production of BNTs will issue a new era of durable lightweight, high strength composite materials and their application in military and commercial market.