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Design and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube NanocompositesRevolutionary design concepts in future aerospace vehicles will depend on extraordinary material properties to permit significant reduction of mass and size of components, while imparting intelligence. Due to their combination of remarkable electrical and mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNT) are expected to enable this paradigm shift in design concepts. However, significant challenges still exist in translating these CNT properties into the macrostructures required for future generations of aerospace vehicles. While an accepted route for making the leap from nanostructures to useful macrostructures has not been fully charted, this paper will give an overview of the approach taken by some researchers at NASA Langley Research Center to sort out issues involved in the development of CNT nanocomposites for multifunctional structures. Specifically, the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrices, characterization of nanocomposites, the role of quantum computation in providing guidance for processing and the use of computational analysis in data interpretation will be covered. Significant improvements in mechanical and electrical properties of CNT nanocomposites with very low loadings of CNTs are described and lend credence to the potential for using CNTs in achieving technological leaps in composite development.
Document ID
20030064924
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Siochi, Emilie J.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Lillehei, Peter T.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wise, Kristopher E.
(National Inst. of Aerospace Associates Reston, VA, United States)
Park, Cheol
(National Inst. of Aerospace Associates Reston, VA, United States)
Rouse, Jason H.
(National Inst. of Aerospace Associates Reston, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: 4th International Symposium on MEMS and Nanotechnology
Location: Charlotte, NC
Country: United States
Start Date: June 2, 2003
End Date: June 4, 2003
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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