NON-PROPRIETARY DATA NASA SBIR/STTR Technologies Proposal No. A : Multifunctional Carbon Electromagnetic Materials - Motors, Actuators PI: Joseph Sprengard, General Nano, Cincinnati, OH Identification and Significance of Innovation: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and magnetic nanoparticles are revolutionizing power electronics and electromagnetic systems. This is significant because power in our society is generated, transmitted, and consumed mainly using electric generators, transformers, wires, motors, and other devices. Billions of electric motors are produced in the world each year. Now there is a possibility to replace copper, iron, rare earth metals, and metal framing in these motors to open up a new generation of lightweight high performance motors. General Nano is the only company in the United States commercially manufacturing aligned CNT array materials for electromagnetics applications. This capability is important for NASA and industry to develop next generation aircraft and spacecraft. Firm Contacts: Joe Sprengard; Mark Schulz; Vesselin Shanov; Expected TRL Range at the end of Contract (1-9): Ph I 3; Ph II 6 Technical Objectives and Work Plan: The objective is to reduce the weight of existing motors, generators, and actuators by 50-70% by integrating General Nano’s nanomaterials. A leading prime contractor with motor/generator expertise will integrate General Nano’s materials into their products. Carbon wire is formed by drawing nanotube sheet from CNT arrays and coating with a thin dielectric to form nano-litz wire eliminating eddy current losses. Nanotube materials produced using other methods contain eddy currents and have a skin effect due to lateral conduction. Decorating CNT with superparamagnetic nanoparticles produces an assembly of particles that have low hysteresis and high saturation allowing replacement of iron core and rare earth metals in motors. The work plan is below. NASA and Non-NASA Applications: Nanotechnology Materials are an enabling technology for NASA and Industry Advanced Concepts. CNT arrays offer great design flexibility in designing different fiber forms and functionalizing the materials for different applications Multi-functional materials are being developed that are practical approaches for reinforcement, cooling, shielding, and electronics Three nanomaterials being developed and continuously improved are: 1.Carbon nanotube wire – strong, lightweight, conductive 2.CNT superparamagnetic material – lightweight, little hysteresis 3.Nanotube sheet/thread composites - structural material to replace metals, tough, lightweight, high thermal conductivity General Nano Multifunctional Materials and Concept Carbon Electric Motor Work Plan T1. Carbon Nanotube Synthesis, post processing to improve CNT properties T2. Electrical Fiber Manuf., spinning, decorating thread with metal nanoparticles T3. Carbon Motor Design and Modeling, next generation motor design