M' Meyyappan

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Nanotechnology in Aerospace Applications
M. Meyyappan Director, Center for
Nanotechnology NASA Ames Research Center Moffett
Field, CA 94035 meyya_at_orbit.arc.nasa.gov web
http//www.ipt.arc.nasa.gov
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Nanotechnology Areas of Interest to Aerospace
Community
High Strength Composites (PMCs, CMCs,
MMCs) Nanostructured materials
nanoparticles, powders, nanotubes Multifunctio
nal materials, self-healing materials Sensors
(physical, chemical, status) Nanoelectromechan
ical systems Batteries, fuel cells, power
systems Thermal barrier and wear-resistant
coatings Avionics, satellite, communication
and radar technologies System Integration
(nano-micro-macro) Bottom-up assembly, impact
of manufacturing
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Benefits of Nanotechnology
In Composite Development
Nanotechnology provides new opportunities for
radical changes in composite functionality Maj
or benefit is to reach percolation threshold at
low volumes (lt 1) when mixing nanoparticles in
a host matrix Functionalities can be added
when we control the orientation of the
nanoscale reinforcement.
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Multifunctionality in Materials
This always implies structure since in most
cases the major function of a structure is to
carry load or provide shape. Additional
functions can be Actuation
controlling position, shape or
load Electrical either insulate or
conduct Thermal either insulate or
conduct Health monitor, control Stealth ma
naging electromagnetic or visible
signature Self-healing repair localized
damage Sensing physical, chemical variables
NRC Report, 2003
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Multifunctional Materials with Sensing Capability
Building in additional functionalities into
load-bearing structures is one key
example - Sensing function Strain
Pressure Temperature Chemical
change Contaminant presence Miniaturized
sensors can be embedded in a distributed fashion
to add smartness or multifunctionality. This
approach is pre-nano era. Nanotechnology,
in contrast, is expected to help in assembling
materials with such functional capabilities
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Examples of Multifunctional Materials
Possible, in principle, to design any number of
composites with multiple levels of
functionality (3, 4, 5) by using both
multifunctional matrices and multifunctional
reinforcement additives - Add a capsule into
the matrix that contains a nanomaterial sensitive
to thermal, mechanical, electrical stress
when this breaks, would indicate the area of
damage - Another capsule can contain a
healant - Microcellular structural foam in the
matrix may be radar-absorbing, conducting or
light-emitting - Photovoltaic military uniform
also containing Kevlar for protection generate
power during sunlight for charging the batteries
of various devices in the soldier-gear
NRC Report, 2003
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Candidates for Multifunctional Composites
Carbon nanotubes, nanofibers Polymer clay
nanocomposites Polymer cross-linked
aerogels Biomimetric hybrids Expectations -
Designer properties, programmable materials -
High strength, low weight - Low failure
rates - Reduced life cycle costs
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General Issues in Making CNT Composites
Polymer matrix composites - Nanotube
dispersion - Untangling - Alignment - Bonding
- Molecular Distribution - Retention of neat-CNT
properties Metal and Ceramic Matrix
Composites - High temperature stability - Reacti
vity - Suitable processing techniques - Choice
of chemistries to provide stabilization and
bonding to the matrix.
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CNT Polymer Composites
E.V. Barrera, Rice University in Carbon
Nanotubes Science and Applications M.
Meyyappan, CRC Press, 2004
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CNT Polymer Composites
E.V. Barrera, Rice University in Carbon
Nanotubes Science and Applications M.
Meyyappan, CRC Press, 2004
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Integration of Innovations Into Systems
Price-volume relationship for annual U.S.
consumption of structural materials. Source J.H.
Westbrook, General Electric (retired), private
communications, September 27, 2002, NRC Report
2003.
The relationship between cost and usage in
tonnage is inverse Value of weight saving
should be considered in other aspects as
well. - Reduction in weight of vehicle (auto,
plane) reduced gasoline consumption
- Spacecraft cost of launch
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Why Nanotechnology for Space Applications?
Advanced miniaturization, a key thrust area to
enable new science and exploration
missions - Ultrasmall sensors, power sources,
communication, navigation, and propulsion
systems with very low mass, volume and
power consumption are needed Revolutions
in electronics and computing will allow
reconfigurable, autonomous, thinking
spacecraft Nanotechnology presents a whole new
spectrum of opportunities to build device
components and systems for entirely new space
architectures - Networks of ultrasmall
probes on planetary surfaces - Micro-rover
s that drive, hop, fly, and
burrow - Collection of microspacecraft
making a variety of measurements
Europa Submarine
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NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology
Started in FY 97, 60 people working on
various aspects of nanotechnology Largest
in the federal government system, one of the
largest in the world Over 200 publications,
400 presentations, 30 patents, and 3 spin-off
companies One of the most recognized and
acclaimed efforts in the world Strong academic
ties collaboration with other agencies and
industry external funding from NIH, DARPA,
TSA Focus on - Chemical sensors -
Nanomaterials for - Biosensors
radiation/thermal protection
- Logic, memory devices - Nano in genomics
- Advance Life Support - Integration
with sensing - Computational nanotechnology
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Carbon Nanotube Field Emitters For Spacecraft
Instruments
CheMin XRD/XRF instrument, intended for
quantitative mineralogy of planetary surfaces (1
liter, 1 kg, 5 watts).
Miniature carbon nanotube field emission X-ray
tube
Scheduled for Mars 2009 Mission
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Advanced Life Support
Gas Purification
Cancer Countermeasure
Environmental management of contaminants
during long duration space flight
Study of radiation effects/radiation
protection/Countermeasures
NH3 removal from waste water
SWNT Radiation Dosimeter
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Nanotube Materials for Hubble Space Telescope
(HST)
Current Problem Hubble Space Telescope
Imaging Spectrograph overheats, causing data
degration Proposed Solution Carbon Nanotube
(CNT) may greatly improve HSTs ability to
dissipate excess heat. (2X is the goal)
CNT-coated interface
Metal-metal contact
Thermal interface
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Sensors
Biosensor for in situ life detection, biomedical
applications
Chemiresistor for volatiles for cosmochemistry
applications
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Our Unique 3D Platform Technology
At NACNT/UARC, we have spent 6 years developing
a 3D platform technology combining 2D patterning
and 1D NW/NT growth with MW self-assembly for
wafer scale nanodevice manufacturing and broad
applications
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Nanoelectronics and Computing RoadmapImpact on
Space Transportation, Space Science and Earth
Science
2002
2005
2010
2015
Sensor Web
Robot Colony
Nano-electronic components
Europa Sub
Ultra high density storage
RLV
Biomimetic, radiation resistant molecular
computing
Biological Molecules
CNT Devices
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Nanosensor Roadmap Impact on Space
Transportation, HEDS, Space Science and
Astrobiology
2002
2005
2015
2010
Optical Sensors for Synthetic Vision
2020
Sensor Web
Nanotube Vibration Sensor for Propulsion Diagnosti
cs
Mars Robot Colony
Multi-sensor Arrays (Chemical, optical and bio)
Europa Sub
Biosensors
Sharp CJV
Spacestation
Nanopore for in situ biomark-sensor
2003 ISPP
Missions too early for nanotechnology impact
1999 DSI RAX
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Summary
Nanotechnology will have an impact on the
aerospace sector through composites, various
materials with improved properties/reduced
costs, avionics, sensors, energy sources,
batteries The field is in its early stages,
much of it in the science mode. Long way to go
before product development, quality control,
reliability testing, etc. Strong government
support is needed to nurture development Indust
ry participation is critical to specify design
needs, testing and characterization, develop
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