Impact of Nanomaterials in Airframes on Commercial Aviation

Abstract

The MITRE Corporations Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) sponsors a research effort investigating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) composite materials in commercial aircraft, the performance of such aircraft, and their potential impact on the air traffic system. This paper discusses the overall goals of this research and highlights the methods for investigating nanomaterials, notional CNRP aircraft performance, and the potential impact of such a vehicle on airports and airspace. In the last decade, nanotechnology concepts have motivated interdisciplinary science and engineering on the atomic and molecular scale, with a significant influence on materials research. Since Ijimas discovery of the carbon nanotube in 1991,1 stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum materials with multifunctional capabilities have been realized in carbon nanotube technologies. Carbon nanotube enhanced materials especially fit the needs of the aerospace industry, where materials with high strength-to-weight ratios dominate designs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2003
Accession Number
AD1133167

Entities

People

  • Sarah E. O'donnell

Organizations

  • MITRE Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Carbon Nanotubes
  • Composite Materials
  • Fullerenes
  • Graphene
  • Laminates
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Molecular Electronics
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Spiders
  • Transport Aircraft

Readers

  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Reinforced Composite Materials

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Space