SBIR Phase I: Nanomaterials Reinforced Light-Weight Structural Composites

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目是设计，合成，制造和测试高性能聚合物复合材料结构的基础上商业证明树脂，长纤维和纳米尺寸的功能颗粒。长纤维可以为复合材料提供良好的机械性能，而可负担得起的纳米颗粒如纳米粘土、石墨烯、碳纳米纤维和碳纳米管可以改善阻隔性能并增强长纤维之间的基质。为了成功地生产这些新的复合材料，需要解决两个问题：如何在长纤维的存在下分散纳米颗粒，以及在纳米颗粒的存在下是否可以保持和增强树脂的加工性能。我们的方法是开发这些纳米颗粒的新型表面涂层，这可以帮助分散并增强颗粒的表面亲油性;从而最大限度地减少由纳米颗粒引起的流动阻力。此外，新型表面涂层还可以提高低温下固化的环氧树脂和乙烯基酯树脂的反应速率和最终转化率。这对于使用真空辅助树脂传递模塑工艺制造大型复合材料结构是非常有价值的。预计将这些改性纳米颗粒成功地应用于结构复合材料将满足能源、运输、建筑和安全行业的多种需求，预计结果将显著增加复合材料在材料行业的整体份额，并将Nanomaterial Innovation Ltd.（NIL）定位为行业创新领导者。虽然钢、木材和铝在今天很流行，但新的复合材料将使传统材料被更轻、更强、更耐用、更具成本效益的纳米定制复合材料所取代。这些高附加值纳米定制复合材料产品的成功商业化将对能源生产、材料使用、能源消耗和环境管理产生重大影响。该奖项将加强美国在多功能纳米定制复合材料和产品方面的全球领导地位。社会效益包括减少对石油的依赖，提高能源效率，减少使用导致全球变暖的传统化石燃料。教育和科学效益涉及纳米复合材料技术的开创性，以及该项目将为推进知识前沿和培训未来科学家提供的机会。该奖项根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to design, synthesize, manufacture, and test high-performance polymeric composite structures based on commercially proven resins, long fibers and nano-sized functional particles. Long fibers can provide good mechanical properties for the composites, while affordable nanoparticles such as nanoclays, graphene, carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes may improve barrier properties and strengthen the matrix between long fibers. To succeed in producing these new composites, two issues need to be addressed: how to disperse nanoparticles in the presence of long fibers and whether or not resin processability can be maintained and enhanced in the presence of nanoparticles. Our approach is to develop novel surface coatings of those nanoparticles, which can assist the dispersion and enhance the surface oleophilicity of the particles; consequently minimizing the flow resistance resulting from the nanoparticles. Furthermore, novel surface coatings can also increase the reaction rate and final conversion for both epoxy and vinylester resins cured at low temperature. This is highly valuable for manufacturing large composite structures using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. It is anticipated that successfully incorporating these modified nanoparticles in structural composites will address multiple demanding applications in energy, transportation, construction and security industries.The expected outcome expect is to significantly grow the overall share of composites in the materials industry and position Nanomaterial Innovation Ltd. (NIL) to be the industry innovation leader. While steel, wood and aluminum are prevalent today, the new composite materials will enable the replacement of traditional materials with lighter, stronger, more durable, and cost effective nano-tailored composites. Successful commercialization of these higher value-added nano-tailored composite products will have a significant impact on energy generation, material use, energy consumption and environmental stewardship. This award will enhance the United States global leadership position in multifunctional nano-tailored composite materials and products. Societal benefits include reduced petroleum dependency, improved energy efficiency, and reduced use of conventional fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. Educational and scientific benefits relate to the pioneering nature of nanocomposite technology and the opportunity this project will provide to advance frontiers of knowledge and the training of future scientists.This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).