Flexible Carbon Nanotube Ply for Transparent Conductive Heater

For this research program, Mainstream will develop a transparent conducting film (TCF) for the de-icing and de-fogging system on V-22 Osprey windshields. The overall goal of the SBIR program is to develop a usable product with the following characteristics: be 5 W/in2, bonded to a transparent acrylic substrate, produce even temperatures with a maximum to minimum range of no more than 10 F, remain 90% transparent in the visible and night vision imaging system spectrums, and endure 500 cycles of 2% strain 4-point bending without property degradation. Our approach will yield a TCF capable of conforming to complex geometries, while remaining mechanically robust. For the Phase I effort, Mainstream will experimentally demonstrate feasibility of our technical approach. The focus will be on the light transmittance, heating performance, mechanical flexibility, EMI shielding efficiency, manufacturing cost and commercialization potential. For Phase II, Mainstream will develop prototypes of the windshield. This prototype will demonstrate optical properties tested against heater performance and flexibility. In addition, the Phase II will focus on developing the transition plan and minimizing cost of manufacturing.