{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":9444,"title":"Functionally Graded Polyimide Nanocomposite Foams for Ablative and Inflatable/Flexible/Deplorable Structures","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10856,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10855,"level":3,"code":"TX12.1.1","title":"Lightweight Structural Materials","definition":"Lightweight structural materials reduce the mass and increase the efficiency of structures and structure components including advanced metallics, nanomaterials, polymers, matrix composites, multifunctional materials, damage detecting/damage tolerant materials, and self-repairing/self-healing materials.","exampleTechnologies":"Nanofibers, fibers, resins and adhesives that enable the tailoring of large monolithic structures; materials that perform multiple functions, materials that include mechanisms for fast, in-situ repairs; topology optimized structures; architectured foams; novel low density metal; composite alloys","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":1,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"Polyimide foam can be used as an insulator (such as for rocket fuels) and acoustic damper. NASA can use these functionally graded polyimide foam for ducting, duct/piping insulation, structural components, and strengthening of hollow components while remaining lightweight.
Polyimide foam is lightweight, thermal, and acoustic insulation material. It provides significant weight reductions and is inherently fire resistance, low surface burn, low smoke development, and no significant toxic offgasing. It improves appearance and no fibrous shake out as compared to fibrous materials. It usually provides less waste and faster installation which means lower installed cost. It can be use for thermal/acoustic insulation, noise transmission loss blanket, duct insulation, and duct liner applications.","description":"The objective of the proposed research is to develop functionally graded polyimide foams as light-weight, high performance thermal protection systems (TPS) for ablative and inflatable/flexible/deplorable structures used in space exploration missions. In the first phase of this project, we will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating graded polyimide micro/nanocellular foam structures and characterize their insulation and ablative properties. We propose to fabricate graded polyimide foams with density gradient that are similar to those of functionally graded PMMA foams produced at UT Austin recently, using melt processable thermoplastic polyimide films by a solid-state foaming process with supercritical CO2. Gradient polyimide foam structures with tuned thermal protection properties are unique and not available until now. The advantage of this innovative approach is two folds: 1)Functionally graded, non-homogeneous polyimide foams that allows continuous variation in macroscopic mechanical and physical properties, to tune the thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, and ablative behavior. 2)The use of melt processable polyimides and the solid-state supercritical CO2 foaming process eliminates the needs of using high boiling solvents, and the costly, tedious solvent exchange process, which is required during the making of porous aerogels from solutions. Open-celled polyimide foams with large visible uniform pore sizes have been produced commercially, however, graded porous polyimide thin films with density gradient, open or close celled, are rare and pose more technical challenges, but can provide additional unique benefits.","startYear":2012,"startMonth":2,"endYear":2012,"endMonth":8,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":246473,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Joseph","lastName":"Koo","fullName":"Joseph H Koo","fullNameInverted":"Koo, Joseph H","middleInitial":"H","primaryEmail":"jkoo@koo-associates.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":3164380,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Anthony","lastName":"Calomino","fullName":"Anthony Calomino","fullNameInverted":"Calomino, Anthony","primaryEmail":"Anthony.M.Calomino@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":65197,"projectId":9444,"transitionDate":"2012-08-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":305432,"fileName":"SBIR_2011_1_FSC_A2.01-9525","fileSize":317533,"objectId":65197,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"310.1 KB"},"transitionId":65197,"fileId":305432}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"August 2012"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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