EMI/EMP Shielding Polymers Based on Nanotechnology

"BMDO needs survivability technologies that provide passive protection from Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMI/EMP) for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) and other missile defense systems. Physitron proposes to develop anorganic/inorganic hybrid polymer that provides EMI/EMP shielding properties over a minimum frequency range between 20 kHz and 1.5 GHz. The innovation is embodied in nanoparticles called graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs). Graphitic carbon as a bulkmaterial has inherent electromagnetic shielding properties that are a result of its absorptive nature at electromagnetic frequencies. This research program seeks to combine GCNFs with various polymer materials commonly used in the applications describedand induce electromagnetic shielding properties to those polymers. GCNFs differ from carbon nanotubes in that they have specifically altered surface chemistries that covalently bind to the polymer backbone. This facilitates the ability to achieve highloading levels of GCNFs in a polymer matrix while simultaneously resulting in uniform distribution. Phase I will demonstrate the ability to impart electromagnetic shielding characteristics to a relevant polymer. It will consist of a polymer matrixselection, GCNF synthesis, GCNF integration into the polymer matrix, and materials tests. Phase II will refine the synthesis and integration technologies, investigate other polymers, and scale-up hybrid materi