99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY DISPERSION OF CARBON NANOTUBES IN POLYMERS

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. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed NASA Langley has developed a technology portfolio which spans several methods for dispersion and processing of CNTs in polymer resins and composites. CNT/resin systems with high dispersion and long-term stability are provided by three general approaches. One method relies on mechanical dispersion by sonication simultaneous with partial polymerization to increase the resin viscosity to maintain dispersion and enable further polymer processing of the CNT blend into films and other articles. Another approach relies on what is termed donor acceptor bonding, which essentially is a dipole bond created on the CNT/resin interface to maintain dispersion and stability of the CNT/resin blend. This dispersion method also provides advantages in mechanical properties of processed composites due to the interface characteristics. A range of polymer types can be used, including polymethyl methacrylate, polyimide, polyethylene, and others. An additional dry blending approach provides advantages for a variety of thermoplastic and thermoset systems. Use of ball mill mixing achieves effective blending and dispersion of the CNT, even at high loadings. Further processing steps using injection molding or similar melt processing methods have yielded CNT/polymer composites with a range of useful electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. The technology is covered under U.S. patent applications 20030158323, 20060270777, and others. 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.