Nickel Nanostrand Additives for Conductive Resins and Composites-Phase 2

A new form of small diameter, high aspect ratio nickel, known as nickel nanostrands, has been created and evaluated. The unique material exhibits a complex geometry, small diameter, high aspect ratio and high conductivity. It appears to provide anexcellent nanostructured three dimensional conductive lattice in a polymer, or acts as an interconnecting conductive lattice in composites whose reinforcing members may be conductive. A Phase 1 SBIR was granted to Metal Matrix Composites to evaluate thecreation of conductive polymer or composite with this material. Polymers of 160 S/cm and composites of 50 S/cm were created during this phase. A Phase 2 proposal has been invited to continue to assess the material and provide a manufacturing process by which nickel nanostrands may be incorporated into the design of commercial composite and polymer systems. Such polymeric or composite systems