Multifunctional Chiral and Active Non-Linear Materials for Control of EM Radiation

The US Army has need for broadband control of electromagnetic radiation using surface treatment of military vehicles and structures. Current methods for microwave shielding and absorption have several drawbacks. HVS proposes multifunctional composite sandwiches with novel chiral materials, nonlinear metal oxides, ferroelectric tunable materials, voltage controllable dielectrics and conducting polymers (to control the surface wave in the case of absorption). Drs. Varadan, owners of HVS Technologies and professors at CEEAM, Penn State are co-inventors of three US patents on Chiral Electromagnetic Shielding and Absorptive Materials, Electromagnetic Shielding Materials, and Voltage Tunable Dielectric Ceramics. These patents are assigned to Penn State. Applications are envisaged for Army Mobile Shelters and vehicle surfaces for reduced RCS, canopy and windshield with required level of shielding, etc. The Phase I work proposed is optimization and numerical design of sandwich materials incorporating chiral materials, nonlinear metal oxides, ferroelectric tunable materials, voltage controllable dielectrics and conducting polymers to result in broadband performance and at the same time meet the stringent needs of specific Army applications. Samples will be prepared and the performance assessed using unique characterization facilities at HVS and CEEAM demonstrating the viability of our approach. A subcontract to Penn State is planned. BENEFITS: The Phase II effort will address broader issue related to multifunctional material manufacture and commercialization. All needed capital equipment can be financed with state programs for small businesses. We have contacts with several private investors and interested industrial partners for joint ventures. The US military and commercial sectors who have need for high performance microwave absorbers and shielding materials will have easy access to a US supplier. We are confident that this Phase I project will result in a technical approach that can be commercialized for US Army needs.