Safe and Structurally Integrated Multifunctional Materials Development for Small UAV’s

The U.S. Navy is looking for technologies to improve the performance of UAV’s by consolidating functions through the use of multifunctional materials, or novel lightweight materials. To meet these requirements, the team lead by Acellent Technologies Inc. along with subcontractor Stanford University and supported by Aurora Flight systems proposes an innovative energy storage solution, integrating standard lithium ion chemistry into the existing structure of a Group 1-3 UAV’s.. This innovative energy storage solution called Multifunctional Energy Storage Composite (MESC) structures : Supplies electrical power, while serving as a structural element, capable of carrying mechanical loads with reduced weight and complexity  Uses embedded sensor networks to monitor the state and health of both the composite structure as well as the battery on a real time on demand basis This project to create “Safe and Structurally Integrated Multifunctional Materials Development for Small UAV’s” will focus on the creation of multifunctional safe and structurally integrated advanced battery structures such as the body, chassis or wing with battery monitoring systems in support of increasing the endurance of the UAV’s. The overall objective will be the design, development and demonstration of a structurally integrated battery into a Group 1-3 UAV. The program will target integration of a high specific energy battery into a high strength composite that will provide a multifunctional structural battery capable of carrying mechanical loads while providing stored electrical energy. Acellent has an exclusive license to the MESC technology developed by Stanford Phase I will focus on the demonstration of the proposed concept through coupon testing. The focus will be to develop material models to predict material behavior and model all intended functions of the MESC concept for UAV's. The Phase I effort will also include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.