Ultra-High-Performance Carbon Nanotube-Based Fibers

To meet key Army needs for advanced materials, ReyTech is pursuing a multi-phase SBIR project focused on developing multifunctional, ultra-high-performance fibers containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As envisioned, this novel technology can be used toproduce fibers possessing electronic and structural properties superior to those of conventional fibers based on carbon, polymers, ceramics, or currently available composites. The results obtained during Phase I clearly validate ReyTech's approach andprovide a solid foundation for Phase II work.Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of establishing a technology platform for developing fibers containing covalently bound CNT's. The key innovation being assessed was ReyTech's unique approach to functionalizing CNT's to chemically bond the CNT to thefiber polymer. All Phase I tasks/objectives were completed, and all Phase I goals were met or exceeded. Specifically, fibers containing functionalized CNT's were produced that exhibited significantly improved electronic and structural performance (e.g.,enhanced electrical conductivity, novel electronic properties, improved mechanical properties). These initial results strongly indicate the potential for these fibers to meet the needs anticipated for next-generation applications for the Army, and Phase Isuccess sets the stage for the proposed Phase I Option work and for a Phase II project focused on optimization, prototyping, and validation/field-testing.