Manufacture of Novel Cryogenic Thermal Protection Materials, Phase II

The innovative technology proposed in this program will provide excellent thermal and electrical insulation capabilities. The technology is ideal for numerous applications. For instance, it can be used in military or commercial aircraft, and in the hulls of ships. In addition, these novel microfoams can be used as laminates for circuit boards or in other electronics. In automobiles, the foam can be used for the firewall behind the engine or in brake pads, trim, molded plastic parts, and other care elements. They also can be used in a variety of construction applications or in recreational equipment. Other attributes of these materials are their excellent chemical resistance, low outgassing, superior radiation resistance, and excellent wear performance. In addition, the novel cellular material is an ideal core material for composite structures in aircraft industry such as luggage bins, galleys and lower wall panels. We anticipate that parts made from these materials will be excellent replacements for metals, ceramics, and other engineering polymers. The ability of the proposed hybrid microfoams to remain flexible and resilient at cryogenic temperatures makes them an ideal choice for lightweight insulation in space applications. Some examples of NASA applications include cryogenic insulation of storage tanks, vessels, pumps, and transfer lines on major rocket propulsion systems. Our materials will provide NASA with robust cryogenic solutions and, therefore, will significantly decrease space mission failures. More »