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Center for Multifunctional Aerospace Materials |
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 Director: Prof. Kathryn Logan, Virginia Tech
The Center for Multifunctional Materials offers the prospect of development of lighter, stronger and multifunctional materials for extreme-environment aerospace applications. Center research will contribute to the discovery and documentation of methods and processes that facilitate the design of multifunctional aerospace materials across the nano-to-meso range of spatial and time scales.
Mesoscale is larger in scale than the realm of nanotechnology’s atoms and molecules, and smaller in scale than continuum models: approximately 109 to 107 meters. Phenomena that arise at the mesoscale level govern bulk properties of unique and important materials that perform well and reliably in extreme environments.
The design of multifunctional aerospace materials is being accomplished by developing and implementing advanced synthesis, processing, forming and characterization technologies. Theoretical and experimental models are being developed to verify experimental predictions about the resultant products’ composition, configuration and performance from a systems perspective.
Recently developed examples of high-performance multifunctional materials of potential interest to NASA space applications are pure titanium diboride and composite alumina/titanium diboride. Potential applications include
- Radiation shielding material for space suits
- Meteoroid shielding for structures and vessels
- Landing brakes
- Sensors that operate at extremely high temperatures
- Liquid-cooled, leading-edge materials for areas of intense aerodynamic heating
- Pressure sensors
Producing such materials requires a broad approach including formation of interdisciplinary teams coupled with research and education initiatives at NASA, the NIA, and the NIA’s university partners.
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