NASA STTR 2001-1 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):		RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
NAME:	Materials & Electrochemical Research Cor	NAME:	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
ADDRESS:	7960 S. Kolb Road	ADDRESS:	902 Battelle Blvd
CITY:	Tucson	CITY:	Richland
STATE/ZIP:	AZ   85706-9237	STATE/ZIP:	WA   99352-1794
PHONE:	( 520 ) 574 - 1980	PHONE:	( 509 ) 376 - 4276

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/ PROJECT MANAGER:	Dr. J.C. Withers  Materials & Electrochemical Research Cor

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Innovations in turbomachinery is required to make improvements in performance and efficiency as well as minimizing global climate impact in systems for propulsion, power generation and energy conversion. Advanced high temperature materials that enable high-performance, ultra-high efficiency and environmentally compatible are required. State-of-the-art materials such as ceramic composites do not meet the properties required for dramatic improvements in performance and efficiencies, primarily due to the ceramic fiber reinforcement. Nanotubes are the strongest materials known and do not creep. Recent advancements in nanotubes suggest they can reinforce fibers to produce exemplary properties. Single wall nanotubes, which can be spun into fibers will be utilized to reinforce silicon carbide to produce a fiber without creep and expected strengths over 10GPa. Such high strength fibers without creep will permit composite components enabling advanced designs in turbomachinery for propulsion systems.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATION(S) (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
A nanotube reinforced SiC fiber with no creep and ultra high-strength will have applications in all turbomachinery for propulsion, power generation, energy conversion and all high temperature applications in defense and the commercial sector. Such a composite fiber will replace virtually all ceramic fibers for high strength and creep resistant applications.