SBIR Phase I: Advanced Structural Snap-fits for Joining of Composite Materials

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is organized to achieve major advances in structural snap-fit technology. Each time a connection to an internet cable or a phone line to a laptop computer is made that connection is made with snap-fit technology. Many products have come to rely on this type of connections for their competitive, technical an economic viability. This project will investigate the next frontier of snap-fits, specifically the connection of structural composite materials, and metal to composite, and composite to ceramic. The broader impact/commercial potential of this technology will be a structural snap-fit technology that will have a competitive advantage over traditional bolting and riveting which is time consuming and costly.