NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Microwave Processing of Carbon Nanofibers

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Based on a newly developed technique for using microwaves to fabricate highly graphitic nanofibers, an inexpensive process for making high thermal conductivity carbon nanostructures is proposed here. The resultant structures are ~100 nm filamentary carbon strands with length of up to several hundred microns. There are evidences indicating these nanofibers are highly graphitic with very high thermal conductivity and near-metallic electrical conductivity. It is proposed to characterize the noteworthy properties of these nanostructures, and to develop the means to manufacture them and to initiate studies on how they may be used to enhance thermal, mechanical, and electric properties of low cost composite materials for aerospace applications.

The proposed material has very high thermal conductivity. In addition, it is light weight, and electrically conductive. Thus, the material can be used as an addictive in thermal plastics, composites, and epoxy for enhanced thermal conductivity, EMI shielding, and mechanical strength.

Chi Tang, Applied Sciences, Inc.,
141 West Xenia Avenue, PO Box 579,
Cedarville OH 45314-0579

Applied Sciences, Inc.,
141 West Xenia Avenue, PO Box
579 Cedarville OH 45314-0579