SBIR-STTR Award

Novel Additively-Manufactured Ultra-High Temperature Composite with Microgravity Improved Grain Structure (NACE HHS MICRO)
Award last edited on: 3/15/23

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : JSC
Total Award Amount
$149,581
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
H8.01
Principal Investigator
Erika Brown

Company Information

Nanoarmor LLC (AKA: Nanostructured & Amorphous Materials Inc)

112 S Lakeview Canyon Road Suite 160
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
   (310) 601-7467
   tech@nanoamor.com
   www.nanoarmor.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 26
County: Ventura

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC22PB102
Start Date: 7/20/22    Completed: 1/25/23
Phase I year
2022
Phase I Amount
$149,581
Nanoarmor has developed an advanced polymer-based ceramic precursor feedstock that can be used to fabricate high-temperature carbide ceramic parts at high densities, without the traditional extreme processing parameters associated with carbide ceramics. Furthermore, the Nanoarmor feedstock has been proven to be effective in certain additive manufacturing processes, allowing carbide ceramics to be explored for applications that were previously not possible due to processing constraints. Nanoarmor’s critical advantage over state-of-the-art approaches is its unique ability to structure nano-reinforcements into ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) without degradation during processing through low-temperature reaction bonding. This technology is ideal for application in reusable aerospace vehicles and hypersonic platforms and offers exceptional potential tactical and strategic advantages for NASA, the DoD, and other public and private organizations seeking to manufacture reusable, reinforced materials for hypersonic application in orbit or in low-gravity environments. For emerging thermal protection systems to enable next-generation hypersonic vehicle designs, novel materials and design architectures must exhibit high thermal conductivity, resist oxidation and ablation, withstand thermal shock during rapid heat flux, and survive tensile and compressive stress under dynamic and unpredictable loads. Nanoarmor’s unique ability to form lightweight, reinforced CMCs with superior performance capabilities already provides a critical advantage over state-of-the-art ceramics. The proposed research and development initiative is to advance Nanoarmor’s patent-protected process and technique for manufacturing ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHT-CMCs) that facilitate dissimilar material integration (e.g. zirconium carbide (ZrC) with toughening additives such as boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs)), non-extreme processing parameters, and additive manufacturing. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Reusable aerospace vehicles and hypersonic platforms offer exceptional potential tactical and strategic advantages for NASA. The survival of such TPS systems during atmospheric re-entry is paramount to vehicle survival, crew safety, and mission success. UHT-CMCs are desired for implementation on the nose tips, leading edges, air intake systems, and other high-loaded regions of hypersonic aircraft and re-entry vehicles in space applications, due to the utility and high-temperature resistance of these materials. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): UHT-CMCs are desired by the DoD for implementation on the nose tips, leading edges, air intake systems, and other high-loaded regions of commercial spacecraft and re-entry vehicles due to the utility and high-temperature resistance of these materials. Nanoarmor carbides are also prime candidates for applications in high-temperature turbines, industrial processing, and energy production. Durati

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
----
Phase II Amount
----