1. Resin Infusion between Double Flexible Tooling (RIDFT)
RIDFT is a home-grown technology designed to fulfill the need for low cost, mass production applications, e.g. automobiles. The unique features of RIDFT include extremely low tooling cost and its rapid prototyping capability. This program has been funded by the Army Research Lab since 2002 and has attracted much attention from industry. RIDFT technology was the recipient of the 2004 R&D 100 Award.
2. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM)
This program area includes manufacturing process development for high quality, medium volume applications, e.g. airframes. Our competitive advantage is the ability to use high-temperature resin (650°F) in VARTM, which will substantially broaden the application base of the VARTM produced composite structures.
3. Nanotubes Optimized for Lightweight Exceptional Strength (NOLES)
NOLES will incorporate carbon nanotube (CNT) buckypaper composites for multifunctional applications. CNTs have amazing mechanical, electrical, photonic and thermal properties. The goal of this program area is to create composite materials that fully utilize these amazing properties for multifunctional applications. As an example, we are developing CNT buckypaper composite structures that are extremely strong, highly efficient in heat dissipation, and electro-magnetic interference free. Buckypapers are films made up of nanotubes. In buckypapers the nanotubes can either be randomly oriented or aligned in a high-magnetic field, based upon the specific properties desired in the composites. HPMI has produced the world's largest magnetically aligned buckypaper. Another major advantage is that buckypapers can be easily incorporated into existing composite processing methods. Five patent applications have been filed as the results of our work in this area.
4. Buckypapers for energy and power
Fuel cells and supercapacitors are being introduced into the marketplace for many applications. Their uses are expected to grow exponentially in the next 10-15 years. Fuel cell efficiency largely depends on catalyst dispersion. Current catalyst dispersion still depends on an age-old process involving binder mixture, layer pasting and hot press. HPMI researchers have discovered that CNT buckypapers have excellent electro-catalyst support and are ideal for fuel cells and supercapacitors. The aim of this program area is the use of buckypapers as electro-catalysts that will dramatically improve the energy and power efficiencies of future fuel cells and supercapacitors.
5. Carbon nanotube composites for body armors and armored vehicles
This program has the potential to create a huge impact in the protection of our military personnel, law enforcement officers and armored vehicles. Due to their outstanding mechanical and ballistic properties, CNT composites will prove to be the ultimate material for personnel and vehicle protection.
