SBIR-STTR Award

A New Class of Lightweight, Multi-functional Protective Materials
Award last edited on: 7/12/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$3,007,874
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF171-109
Principal Investigator
Larry Christy

Company Information

General Nano LLC

1776 Mentor Avenue Suite 170
Cincinnati, OH 45212
   (513) 309-5947
   joe.sprengard@generalnanollc.com
   www.generalnanollc.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 01
County: Hamilton

Phase I

Contract Number: FA8650-17-P-5027
Start Date: 6/15/2017    Completed: 3/15/2018
Phase I year
2017
Phase I Amount
$149,720
A novel carbon nanotube ceramic composite is proposed herein to protect organic matrix composite materials, specifically munition relevant composite structural aeroshell materials, from directed energy, nuclear EMP, and nuclear particle effects. This CNT-

Phase II

Contract Number: FA8650-19-C-5068
Start Date: 6/5/2019    Completed: 6/5/2021
Phase II year
2019
Phase II Amount
$2,858,154
Current and incumbent material systems rely on specific materials for specific threat ranges. For example, multi-spectral protection relies on an aggregate of different material types that, when used in composite structures present ease-of-manufacturing, integration and thermally induced issues, such as problems caused by Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE). Because of these challenges, there's a need for next generation advanced materials systems that are multi-spectral, exhibit low CTE mismatch, are easily integrated into existing material systems and processes and are supplied in commonly used form factors and dimensions (e.g. widths). General Nano manufactures Veelo Advanced Materials, which are designed and engineered to address next generation advanced material requirements for composite munition systems. This family of advanced material products utilizes carbon nanotube (CNT) and advanced metal plating technology, that offer unmatched performance. OEMs and existing aerospace supply chain partners have successfully demonstrated the performance advantages of Veelo Advanced Materials, including the ability to seamlessly integrate these products into current and future composite munition aeroshells. These materials are currently width-restricted, the primary objective off this effort is to increase the "web" width in continuous manufacturing operations to match that of commonly used composite material systems used for airborne asset manufacturing.