Date: May 15, 2013 Author: George Hansen Source: 2013 SBIR National Conference
Conductive Composites Company has developed and manufactures domestic supplies of nickel coated carbon fibers, nickel coated broadgoods and nickel nanostrands (nanostructured conductive “tumbleweeds”). The nanostrands are incorporated into conductive resins, adhesives, coatings and elastomers. This suite of materials then become the “ingredients” to be able to engineer the electromagnetic properties of a composite. Here are a few examples:
A satellite dish with fidelity equal to aluminum, but at 1/3rd the weight. Furthermore, this antenna can be segmented and packed and stacked like spoons, occupying only 20 % of the packed volume ,thus further enabling the mobile soldier. Lightweight composite cases and enclosures that electromagnetically hide the contents, while protecting them from electromagnetic threats.
A conductive electrical conduit at half the weight of rigid aluminum conduit, with equivalent efficacy for shielding. For every 1000 feet of 1” conduit, the composite conduit saves about 70 pounds. This relates to several millions of dollars in savings over the life of the plane. An antenna that has a broader and deeper frequency response than its aluminum counterpart, while weighing only one sixth as much. Shielding “wallpaper” that shields well over 80 db,at approximately $1-$2 per square foot.
