Improved Infrared Screening Smoke Particles Using Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

There is a continuing need for effective obscurants at infrared frequencies and below. In particular, the infrared screening effectiveness of current smoke materials needs to be improved by an order of magnitude based on the extinction cross section per volume of material. Foster-Miller, Inc., proposes overcome these deficiencies by developing improved infrared screening smokes using single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Foster-Miller will use its proprietary methods for dispersing and forming SWNT ropes that will meet the performance objectives for infrared screening smokes. During this Phase I program, Foster-Miller will produce grams of modified SWNTs and disperse these into a liquid media for infrared spectroscopic cell analysis of the extinction coefficient to demonstrate the technical feasibility of its approach. It will also demonstrate that during the time frame of the Phase II program, its teaming partner, Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc. (CNI) will be in a position to provide high quality SWNTs at quantities and prices required for this application. (P-030597)