SBIR-STTR Award

Atomic-6 is a United States-based advanced manufacturing firm specializing in environmentally friendly, next generation composite parts. Through a proprietary process, currently filed as a provisional patent, that includes both novel tooling design and a novel resin infusion process, Atomic-6 provides benefits such as: 1) exponentially reduced manufacturing costs; 2) the highest performing composites available in the market; and 3) up to a 98% reduction in autoclave cycle times compared to existing manufacturing processes. Atomic-6’s carbon fiber composite flat panel has been evaluated by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (where the F-35, among other advanced aircraft, was developed) and has shown extremely favorable results. Using microscopy, Skunk Works visually confirmed Atomic-6’s carbon fiber composite panel was almost non-existent of void (air) content. Voids weaken the structural integrity of composite materials. Atomic-6 can produce parts that have less than 0.5% void content versus 1-5% commonly found in existing aerospace grade carbon fiber composites. In another test, Skunk Works confirmed the fiber to resin ratio of the material to be 63% fiber and 37% resin by volume, much higher than the next highest existing grades of carbon fiber composites on the market at 55% fiber volume – higher fiber volumes are indicative of better mechanical performance and lighter weight (resin dependant). This 8% increase in fiber volume equates to Atomic-6’s carbon fiber composite having a tensile strength that is 6,321 Ksi higher (14.22% improvement) than the next highest comparable grades of carbon fiber composites. The tensile modulus (stiffness of a solid material) was measured at 98% of the theoretical limit versus the historical 80% for carbon fiber composites. Lastly, Atomic-6’s process has eliminated the need for expensive pre-impregnated carbon fibers and reduced autoclave cycle times from 30 hours down to 20 minutes (resin dependent). This allows for an extremely cost-competitive product – at a potential price that is 80% less than certain high end aerospace-grade carbon fiber composites – while still producing carbon fiber composites that are step change improvements above what is current

Atomic-6’s composites and autoclave manufacturing 1) exponentially reduce manufacturing costs; 2) produce the highest performing composites available in the market; and 3) reduce autoclave cycle times by 98% when compared to existing manufacturing processes. The cost and time reduction directly align with and advance the Air Force's goals in advanced manned and unmanned aircraft testing and manufacturing. Low cost, low maintenance, more expendable platforms can achieve the same vital missions as existing manned and unmanned aircraft. Atomic-6’s cost-effective parts and faster manufacturing cycle times help enable the employment of a class of attritable aircraft that equip warfighters with the opportunity to project air power with mass, complexity, and unpredictability in a fractionated networked battlespa