Ceralink Inc. recently announced it has been selected for a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award from NASA to develop high-performance polymer matrix composites (PMCs) at lower cost using microwave technology. NASA has reportedly identified PMCs as a critical need for launch and in-space vehicles, but use is currently limited by the significant cost of these 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.

“Our goal is to demonstrate feasibility of lower cost/high-performance PMCs using non-continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites,” said Patricia Strickland, CEO. “We anticipate that utilizing microwave processing will further reduce costs by greatly reducing process time, and improving materials properties and performance.”

For additional details, visit www.ceralink.com.