Using Nanowires to Improve Environmental Protection of Zinc Sulfide

Nano Terra and its subcontractor, Raytheon Missile Systems, proposes a radically different approach to create a coating for ZnS that strengthens the materials by the use of nanowires. By carefully ordering these layers, we will not only form a protective layer, but also form a graded index of refraction structure to reduce reflection. Each successive layer of nanowires will less dense than the previous layers, thus effectively decreasing the index of refraction with each layer, gradually reducing the index of refraction from that of the underlying ZnS to that of air. These nanowire layers should absorb some of the shock from small particles by dispersing the energy into the voids in the nanowire net and by preventing crack propagation across surfaces bridged by the nanowires. Nano Terra, along with its team-mate Raytheon, is qualified to lead this effort because their staff have experience fabricating and precisely placing nanowires for similar devices, and they are a world leader in nano-scale manufacturing.