SBIR Phase II: Structural Multifunctional Composites with Energy Storage Properties

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目致力于开发一种多功能固态纳米层状复合材料，它可以作为一种结构材料，同时以可充电超级电容器的形式储存能量。采用独特的生产工艺，将液态单体和铝线引入工艺室，将其转化为具有数千层聚合物和铝层的多层复合材料。应用包括用于运输的电池备用和逆变电路的存储设备，以及用于极端热机械环境的高能量密度电容器，如飞机，光伏和航空航天。一期开发工作展示了大面积（10平方英尺）储能材料的生产。纳米层压材料的机械性能接近硬聚合物层压材料，能量密度比传统静电电容器高一个数量级，与电化学超级电容器相似，在-20℃以下和+65℃以上的温度下具有优越的性能。第二阶段的工作包括优化某些制造方法的开发工作、聚合物电介质的优化、包装的开发、基于短期和长期寿命测试的规格表的创建，以及对代表当前和长期商业机会的潜在客户进行抽样。这个项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是利用一种新的多功能材料，可以储存能量。这种材料可以集成到一个结构中，从而节省空间和重量。它是一种绿色产品，不需要水或溶剂来生产，它是可回收的，它不涉及使用或处置有害物质。纳米层压板储能产品将主要基于铝线和丙烯酸酯单体两种材料，这两种材料通常用于生产地板、印刷、家具、窗膜等的保护涂料。在体积、重量和热机械约束（如振动和工作温度）是限制因素的应用中，轻质储能纳米层材料可以取代具有严格温度限制的双层电化学超级电容器和传统静电电容器。使用纳米层压复合材料生产的电容器是固态元件，可以电自修复，具有开路或类似保险丝的安全故障模式，这在电动汽车和飞机等应用中是理想的，在这些应用中，靠近电容器组的人员的安全至关重要。多功能材料有望在未来提高能源效率和减少对化石燃料的依赖方面发挥关键作用。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the development of a multifunctional solid-state nanolaminate composite, which may function as a structural material while storing energy in the form of a rechargeable super-capacitor. A unique production process is used, where liquid monomer and aluminum wire are introduced into a process chamber that converts them into a multilayer composite with thousands of polymer and aluminum layers. Applications include storage devices for battery back-up and inverter circuits used in transportation and high energy density capacitors for extreme thermo-mechanical environments, such as aircraft, photovoltaics and aerospace. The Phase I development work demonstrated the production of large area (10sq.ft.) energy storage material. The nanolaminate material has mechanical properties that are close to a hard polymer laminate and energy densities which are an order of magnitude higher than conventional electrostatic capacitors and similar to those of electrochemical super-capacitors, with superior performance at temperatures below -20C and above +65C. The Phase II effort includes development work to optimize certain manufacturing methods, optimization of the polymer dielectric, packaging development, creation of specification sheets based on short and long term life tests and sampling potential customers that represent immediate and long term business opportunities. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is in the utilization of a new multifunctional material that can store energy. Such material may be integrated into a structure and save space and weight. It is a green product that requires no water or solvents to produce, it is recyclable and it does not involve the use or disposal of hazardous materials. Nanolaminate energy storage products will be based on mainly two materials, aluminum wire and acrylate monomers, which are commonly used to produce protective coatings for flooring, printing, furniture, window films, etc. Lightweight energy storage nanolaminates can replace double layer electrochemical super-capacitors that have severe temperature limitations and conventional electrostatic capacitors, in applications where volume, weight and thermomechanical constraints such as vibration and operating temperature are limiting factors. Capacitors produced using nanolaminate composites, are solid-state components that can electrically self-heal and have an open-circuit, or fuse-like safe failure mode, which is desirable in applications such as electric vehicles and aircraft, where safety of people in the proximity of a capacitor bank is of paramount importance. Multifunctional materials are expected to play a key role in the future in improving energy efficiencies and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.