Instrumentation for the Characterization of EM-absorbing Metal Nanoparticle/Ionic Liquid Materials
Abstract
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is a heart of most sensor systems and all wireless communication systems. Physical deprivation of these capabilities in a battlefield setting usually requires intense, non-selective jamming techniques or physical access to adversarial sensor/communications equipment. Metallic nanoparticles show great promise absorbing EM radiation. The absorption of this energy has the effect of masking or duping radiation-based sensors and disrupting wireless communication networks. Recent studies in the literature have demonstrated a number methods for synthesizing metallic ionic liquid (IL) compatibilized metallic nanoparticles. Compatibilization allows the nanoparticles to be well dispersed within a variety of ILs, a number of which exhibit very low vapor pressures and, as a result, are able to persist indefinitely without evaporating. IL-compatiblized nanoparticles can be aerosolized into a volume of space or 3D printed into a specific orientation or shape. This flexibility offers a variety of ways of integrating EM-absorbing nanoparticles into existing materials based on situational needs. Selection of the optimal metallic nanoparticle and ionic liquid combination requires detailed thermal and optical characterization of the nanoparticle/solvent interactions in order to design an aerosol and composite material that will suitable for study an ARO proposal in preparation. This proposal seeks to address the U.S. Army priority of designing new electromagnetic absorbing composite materials that give the Soldier new and improved sensor and wireless communications denial capabilities. To this end, we are seeking funding for the acquisition of a system of materials characterization instrumentation (DSC, UV-vis, and TGA with EGA furnace) that is capable of supporting new research and an ARO proposal currently in preparation that outlines new ionic liquid-solvated electromagnetic radiation absorbing composite materials that can be aerosolized into a mutable Faraday cage or supported by 3D-printed polymer substrate generated using selective laser sintering.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 22, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910256
Entities
People
- Edward R Duranty
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of South Alabama