Ceralink Inc. has been selected for a $100,000 SBIR Phase I award from NASA to develop high-performance polymer matrix composites (PMCs) at lower cost using microwave technology. NASA has identified PMCs as a critical need for launch and in-space vehicles, but use is currently limited by the significant cost of such materials. Ceralink’s Phase I research program will explore lower-cost PMCs through the development of discontinuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites with an in-situ grown, carbon nanotube 3-D network.

Ceralink’s goal is to demonstrate feasibility of lower-cost/high-performance PMCs using non-continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites. The company anticipates that utilizing microwave processing will further reduce costs by greatly reducing process time and improving materials properties and performance.