SBIR Phase II: Commercialization of Innovative Low Refractive Index, High Temperature Perfluorocyclobutyl Polymers

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目将确定高温、高可加工光纤涂层的技术可行性和商业价值主张，涵盖一系列市场，包括光纤激光器、石油和天然气光纤、航空电子光纤和医疗光纤。Tetramer将进行研究，以修改聚合物涂层的结构，以提供增强的性能，这将扩展当前光纤的能力。涂料的开发将促进我们对结构性能关系的理解，并为聚合物体系建立新的边界。在这个项目中，四聚体将合成新的单体和聚合物，并评估它们用作纤维涂层的性能。在该计划结束时，Tetramer预计它将开发出3种新型聚合物，这些聚合物具有一系列性能特征，这是目前任何一种材料都无法获得的。新的光纤涂层将被开发出来，它能够在300摄氏度以上的温度下工作，具有更高的可加工性，并且用于激光应用，具有更低的折射率。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力将在许多方面影响社会，因为涂层可以对光纤性能产生有意义的影响。光纤激光器正迅速成为激光制造的首选方法。通过使光纤激光器在更高的温度下工作，光纤激光器将立即看到增加的输出功率和更长的使用寿命。随着工业金属加工（焊接、切割和雕刻/标记）、微加工和医疗设备的应用，通过改进涂层将功率输出增加一倍将对许多行业产生重大影响。高温纤维涂层将通过更好地监测深井温度，提高井下钻井和石油钻井作业的整体效率。这有可能降低石油价格，增加石油产量。此外，这些纤维可以帮助地热井监测，这将提供一种绿色能源。正在开发的涂料有潜力通过提高产品性能和通过增强功能扩大市场规模来增加整个价值链的收入和利润。Tetramer还将利用这个第二阶段的项目来培训附近克莱姆森大学的本科生和研究生

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will determine the technical feasibility and the commercial value proposition for high temperature, highly processable fiber optic coatings across a range of markets to include fiber lasers, fibers for oil and gas, avionics fiber, and medical fiber. Tetramer will perform research to modify the structure of polymer coatings to provide enhanced performance which will extend the capabilities of current fiber optics. Coatings developed will advance our understanding of structure property relationships and establish new boundaries for the polymer system. During this program, Tetramer will synthesize new monomers and polymers and evaluate their properties for use as fiber coatings. At the end of this program, Tetramer anticipates it will have developed 3 new types of polymers with a set of performance characteristics which are not available from any one single material today. New fiber coatings will be developed which are capable of operating at temperatures above 300 deg C, having greater processability, and for laser applications, having lower refractive indices.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will impact society in many ways due to the various markets in which the coatings can have a meaningful impact on the optical fiber performance. Fiber optic lasers are quickly becoming the preferred method for laser fabrication. By enabling fiber lasers to operate at higher temperatures, fiber lasers will immediately see increased output powers and longer service lifetimes. With applications in industrial metal working (welding, cutting, and engraving/marking), micromachining, and medical devices, doubling power output via improved coatings will have a major impact across many industries. Higher temperature fiber coatings will improve down-hole drilling and the overall efficiency of oil drilling operations through better temperature monitoring in deep wells. This has the potential to lower prices of oil and increase oil production. Additionally, these fibers can aid in geothermal well monitoring which would provide a green source of energy. The coatings under development have the potential to generate increased revenue and profit throughout the value chain through increased performance of products and enhanced market sizes through enhanced capabilities. Tetramer will also use this Phase II program to train undergraduate and graduate level students from nearby Clemson University