TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: LAR-18540-1: Novel Copolyimide Surface Modifying Coating

Synopsis: NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a coating material made of a novel copolyimide containing surface modifying agents that is designed to prevent the accumulation of insect residue on aircraft wings and reduce surface imperfections on other low friction or non-stick surfaces. Roughening residues have the potential to significantly disrupt laminar air flow over the wings and eliminating them can reduce air resistance and improve fuel economy. Accumulation of undesirable species such as insect residue is mitigated by use of copolyimide coatings incorporating fluorine and silicon surface modifying agents (SMAs) in a novel chemical formulation. The coating minimizes adhesion while at the same time maintaining the bulk properties of the polyimide coating. The specific SMAs used here are designed to be thermodynamically drawn to the coating surface. Further, the SMAs react chemically with the polymer backbone and are thus chemically bonded, so the SMAs will not evaporate or migrate out of the coating material. The coating adheres well to a range of relevant materials, including aluminum, composites and plastics and reduces surface imperfections on other low friction or non-stick surfaces. The active surface modifying agents in the coating migrate to the air surface, but do not evaporate or otherwise need replacement. Potential use to keep other surfaces clean of insect residue, such as automobiles and wind turbines. NASA is seeking to license this technology commercially in the United States. US Patent pending. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide how you foresee using the technology along with a brief background of your company. Additionally, please identify any non-US interests/subsidiaries in your company as well. For more information about licensing other NASA Langley-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Langley's Technology Gateway at https://technologygateway.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA Langley's Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development "OSACB" for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.