NASA SBIR 2005 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Advanced Coatings Inernational
2990 Gilchrist Rd. Suite 1100
Akron ,OH 44305 - 4418
(330) 794 - 6361

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Steven   Johnson
sjohnsonaci@core.com
2990 Gilchrist Rd. Suite 1100
Akron, OH  44305 -4418
(330) 794 - 6370

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
This innovation uses photochemical cyclopolymerization of polyimides to manufacture ultraviolet rigidizable composites for use in RIS (ridgidizing inflatable) structures. Sunlight initiated polymerization (UV polymerization) has been identified as a promising method for ridgidizing composites for inflatable space structures. The use of in-situ polymerized polyimides will provide superior dimensional and dynamic properties to enhance the performance characteristics of RIS deployed space based structures such as antennas, solar arrays and sunshields. As a class, polyimide polymers are known to possess excellent physical and chemical properties superior to conventional thermoset resins. But polyimides are typically produced at very high temperatures, making their use as RIS materials impractical. By utilizing a unique chemistry and polymerizing in-situ with sunlight, a new ridgidizable composite will be fabricated. The resulting polyimide impregnated composite can be rigidized in space and provide mechanical properties superior to those achieved with previous radiation cured composites. Stability of the polyimide precursors will permit long term storage of RIS prior to deployment. When produced in scale the composite will provide a cost competitive method of fabricating RIS and meet the growing demand for this type of space architecture. Terrestrial applications also exist in the homeland security and disaster response sectors.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Solar arrays and concentrators
Satellites and antennas
Spaceship structures and habitats
Landing strictures and habitats

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Homeland Security
Portable, rapidly deployed structures that can withstand rigorous environments such as wind and snow.

Disaster Relief
Portable, rapidly deployed structures that can withstand rigorous environments such as wind and snow.

Housing/Commercial
With further research, the composites developed in this program could be used in these applications.

Advertising
Inflatable structures are commonplace now for advertising purposes.

Structural Components
Aircraft part fabrication and repair, field repair of lightweight vehicles. Anywhere lightweight rigid materials are needed with superior physical properties, especially fabrication in the field.

NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING

Airframe Airlocks/Environmental Interfaces Erectable Inflatable Manned-Manuvering Units Multifunctional/Smart Materials Portable Life Support Radiation Shielding Materials Structural Modeling and Tools Tankage Testing Facilities