SBIR-STTR Award

Infrared obscurants are commonly used to screen soldiers and assets from enemy threat. In order to improve this countermeasure, materials superior to currently used brass and graphite flakes are required. Nano-thick metallic flakes have recently been demonstrated to achieve superior performance in terms of mass extinction, which likely will lead to a higher Figure of Merit defined by the U.S. Army. Similar metallic flakes are made at tonnage scales for demanding applications such as Electronics. The proposed SBIR project will be executed by experienced metallic flake scientists, Gregory Berube of NanoDynamics and Dr. Dan Goia at Clarkson University. A metallic flake will be developed leading to a Figure of Merit of at least four using a process allowing for easy scalability to manufacturing scale. In design of the flake, consideration will be taken toward not only selecting the right metal system, but also an organic system that allows for environmental stability of the flake while maximizing fill factor and dissemination yield. Then, the Candidate Flake will be demonstrated at a scale of at least 500 grams at a pilot plant scale while maintaining a high Figure of Merit. This pilot material will be validated by the Army through chamber testing.

Keywords:
Infrared, Obscurant, Metallic, Flake, Nanoparticle, Wet, Milling, Coating

Infrared obscurants are commonly used to screen soldiers and assets from enemy threat. In order to improve this countermeasure, materials superior to currently used brass and graphite flakes are required. Nano-thick metallic flakes have recently been demonstrated to achieve superior performance in terms of mass extinction, which likely will lead to a higher Figure of Merit defined by the US Army. Similar metallic flakes are made at tonnage scales for demanding applications such as electronics. Phase I demonstrated metallic flake species with mass extinction coefficients relative to brass exceeding the target of at least four times that of brass flake. Phase II will demonstrate a process that can be used for commercial scale production, as well as address dissemination issues needed to further enhance the Figure of Merit. NanoDynamics will deliver several samples to the Army for chamber and grenade testing. Teaming will be with Clarkson University, a legacy group in the Obscurants research community; as well as IIMAK, a global leader in the manufacturing and development of printing, imaging, and marking consumable supplies.

Keywords:
Infrared, Obscurant, Metallic, Flake, Nanoparticle, Wet Milling, Forming, Silver Coating