Scaleable Process Technology for Nanostructured Materials

"Surface Treatment Technologies, Inc. (ST2) proposes the application of advanced electron-beam (e-beam materials processing for the formation of novel nano-structural materials for Missile Defense Systems. Specifically we will focus on developing bothnon-reactive and reactive structures to function as non-parasitic warhead materials for ballistic missile kill-vehicles. These reactive structures can be used either as kill-vehicles against incoming threat systems, or an payloads for "bunker-buster"defeat approaches to chemical/biological stockpiles. Non-reactive structures can serve a number of structural roles, as well as being developed as advanced penetrators. Current missiles employ the hit-to-kill defeat concept, which may prove insufficientfor chemical/biological threat systems. The proposed approach would use rapid e-beam processing to form full nano-structural bodies that would also provide flame/incendiary capabilities upon impact. E-beam processing has demonstrated the ability to formlarge structures (1 meter diameter) with thickness of 5-10 millimeters in a period of less than 3 hours. The process can be adapted for single metal materials, multi-layered functionally gradient, or thermally reactive structures. The Phase I effort willselect materials systems with potentially unique properties and verify thermal and mechanical properties of the candidates. Phase II will select nanostructural materials and scale up to e-