Exploration of New Multifunctional Polymer Nano-Composites for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption and L
Abstract
The identified research problem is the following: in previous research and applications, most electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption m,aterials were designed and used as a coating over existing structures (such as for aircrafts, anechoic chamber, and others), that in, turn increased the weight of the structures. The objective of this research project is to explore and understand new multifunction,al polymer nano composites (PNCs) for EM wave absorption, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and low-density structural ma,terial applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and other carbon based nano materials are very valuabl,e for EM wave absorption and aviation structural material applications. The innovation of the proposed technical approach is to deve,lop multifunctional PNCs, which can be used for EM wave absorption, EMI shielding, and can also be used as part of structural materi,als, so that, a separate coating on the structures would not be needed, ifmultifunctional PNCs could be realized. The anticipated o,utcome of this research project, if successful, is a significant advancement of the knowledge on the development of the multifunctio,nal PNCs, which should be light weight and mechanically strong; additionally, the strong EM wave absorption and EMI shielding effect,iveness could be tuned to a wide frequency band by taking the advantage of large thickness of structural materials. The im,pact on DoD capabilities may include the following: Naval aviation demands structural materials that are unique and often more strin,gent than land-based aviation requirements. Airframe structure is central to all naval aviation aircraft for both manned and unmanne,d operations. Airframe materials are the underlying enabling technology for naval air vehicle structures. Advances in structural mat,erial science offer significant opportunities for improvements in availability and readiness, reduced sustainment requirements, redu,ced weight and improved range. Multifunctional polymer nano composites explored and developed from this project can be used in moder,n aviation technologies to serve naval research mission and advanced concepts in airframe structures for EM wave absorption, EMI shi,elding and lightweight airframe structure materials. This project will also target the educational and workforce training go,al on developing a diverse and advanced STEM workforce by engaging graduate and undergraduate students in the research project, part,icularly underrepresented minority (URM) students at Southern University and A&M College (SU), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is oneo,f the largest HBCU institutions in the nation. The number of students who will contribute to the project directly is estimated asab,out six undergraduate students and two MS graduate students. This project will also have the potential to impact more minority stude,nts to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM disciplines.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212744
Entities
People
- Guang-lin Zhao
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Southern University
- United States Navy