Scalable Process for Novel Nanomaterials with Infrared Filtering Properties (20-RD-214)

The US Army seeks scalable methods to make novel nanoparticles that have infrared (IR) filtering properties for use in the next generation of technology applications. In this Phase I SBIR, technology to cost-effectively manufacture visible to IR absorbing nanoparticles along with methods to create a narrow transmission window in the near IR window will be developed. Our proposed approach is to utilize mixtures of different aspect ratio nanoparticles to achieve this visible to IR absorption, and to use various methods to create the required 50 nm transmission window. Proprietary technologies will be used to make nanoparticles (up to 1400 nm) in high yield. For the IR region, existing technologies will be evaluated and combined with proprietary methods for yield enhancement. The nanoparticles will have well controlled lengths and diameters that are optimized to have a strong resonance in the visible to long wavelength IR transmission window (400 nm to 12 micron). The proposed synthesized nanoparticles will be produced economically and readily scaled-up for volume manufacturing. During Phase I we will deliver the optimized formulations for Army’s evaluation. Increasing manufacturing capabilities to decrease the cost and the novel ways to aerosolize will be conducted during Phase II.