99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY HIGH TEMPERATURE LIQUID CRYSTALTHERMOSETS: LAR-16079 -17157

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 family of chemistries and supporting patents related to a series of liquid crystalline materials that have several distinct advantages over currently available commercial liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs). The NASA materials use low-melting, all-aromatic ester-based liquid crystal oligomers end-capped with reactive phenylethynyl end groups. This reactive oligomer approach enables synthesis of liquid crystal thermosets with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties that are superior to well-known high-performance polymers such as PPS and PEEK . NASAs chemistries offer inexpensive and adaptable materials for melt processing complex shapes using resin transfer molding or resin film infusion techniques. The low coefficient of expansion, combined with excellent barrier properties, makes this new technology useful for cryogenic applications and other applications that involve extreme temperature changes. In addition, the excellent barrier properties make these materials chemically resistant to acids, bleaches, chlorinated solvents, alcohols, and hydrocarbon fuels. Depending on the backbone chemistry and the molecular weight (controlled by reactive end group concentration), NASA has developed various liquid crystalline resins (LCRs) with a wide range of physical and chemical properties. Low concentrations of reactive end groups (e.g., a 9000 g/mol oligomer) give a low viscous thermotropic melt (10200 poise at 100 rad/s). When cured, a high Tg (>200C) nematic thermoset is obtained that provides an excellent combination of toughness and stiffness. U.S. Patents 7,507,784 and 6,939,940, which are both titled Liquid Crystalline Thermosets from Ester, Ester-Imide, and Ester-Amide. 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.