CONDUCTIVE POLYMER-SILVER NANOCOMPOSITE WIRES FOR NSAF SATE

Triton Systems, in partnership with Prof. William Moser of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) proposes to develop a new lightwright, high strength, electrical signal distribution wire for satellites and aircraft based on a new unique conductive polymer, silver nanoparticle (CP-Ag) composit material. The CP-Ag Kevlar composite wire will have a density of less than l.9 g/cc (compared to 10.5 g/cc for silver) and will have the strong mechanical performance of Kevlar polymer fibers. Triton and WPI will use an established Ag nanoparticle preparation method, and incorporate conductive polymer through a proprietary blending method, to create the final composite CP-Ag material, that will then be coated onto a Kevlar yarn. We will demonstrate the goal conductivity of at least 10 3 S/cm through tailoring the CP-Ag domain/particle sizes that will create a strong conductive boost for the typical percolation curve for the limiting CP component. Phase I will identify the composite fabrication paramethers to demonstrate the required conductivity and mechanical strenght of the CP-Ag Kevlar coated lightwieght wire. Phase II will make use of Triton's demonstrated accomplishment in conductive polymers, wire coating, and in nanocomposite materials to scale-up prototype electrical signal distribution wires for he Air Force and for commercial applications.