Hierarchical Shape Recovery Polymer Nanocomposites (PNCs) for Next Generation Aerosystem Applications

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. proposes to develop hierarchical shape memory (recovery) polymer (SMP) nanocomposite material technologies and demonstrate their performance enhancement in terms of efficiency of energy recovery, extent of strain recovery, energy budget (power) necessary for actuation, temperature range of operation, and reproducibility upon deformation cycling. In addition, novel triggering mechanisms of actuation beyond direct thermal heating will also be explored. This program will design and experimentally characterize multiple candidate formulations to develop SMP nanocomposites. It will establish correlation between material formulations and processing conditions with performance and demonstrate feasibility of employing nanoparticles to enhance the performance of shape memory (recovery) polymers. The proposed SMP nanocomposites provide the means to enhance performance of current SMP and enable alternative triggering mechanisms for actuation. This suite of new material technologies will address the drawbacks of current shape recovery materials.