Multifunctional Polyimides for Space Applications
- Paper number
IAC-06-C2.8.01
- Author
Dr. Ruth H. Pater, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Langley Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Paul Curto, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Headquarters, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Recently, NASA has answered the challenge of producing a new class of high-performance materials that improve performance and enable spacefaring applications. Competing conventional materials are deficient in a number of key areas: density, strength, temperature resistance, thermal cycling, water absorption and retention, radiation shielding capability, acid and base resistance, transmissivity, thermal resistance, surface charge retention, electrical conductivity, bonding capabilities, and transparency. The advent of the age of nanotechnology has added new capabilities for enhanced features, better repeatability of manufacture, and extraordinary electromagnetic and physical properties. Multifunctional polyimides embody these new states of matter. Ongoing research at NASA, especially at the Langley Research Center, has produced stunning results that break ground for a host of new applications that heretofore were impossible. Examples and samples and data produced exhibiting some of the newest and most exciting innovations will be shown. These include a material that can repel caustic and abrasive lunar dust, a combination structural, radiation shielding, and insulation material that obviates the need for using much heavier metallic structures to build spacecraft, and adhesives capable of repairing space structures.
- Abstract document