99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY RESISTIVE HEATING METHOD FOR HIGHERPERFORMING CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOSITES: LAR-18300-1

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 process for fabricating carbon nanotube (CNT) structural nanocomposites that brings CNT-based composites closer to realizing their potential for structural applications. Conventional methods fail to properly wet CNTs within the epoxy matrix, due to high resin viscosity, resulting in poor infiltration and reduced load transfer between the CNTs and matrix. The NASA process, resistive heating assisted epoxy infiltration (RHAEI), uses the CNTs electrical resistance to generate heat which reduces epoxy resin viscosity, for greater CNT wetting and adhesion. Mechanical properties are significantly improved compared to conventional methods. NASA's process has been demonstrated to offer 50% improvement in strength and elastic modulus, with mechanical properties competitive with structural carbon fiber composites. NASA is seeking to license this technology commercially. 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 the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys 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.