Buckypaper: - Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Aerospace MaterialsReal-World ChallengesIt’s taking longer than they might have hoped: There wasa flurry of interest in buckypaper in 2008 and 2009—it wasnamed as one of SME’s “Innovations That Could Change theWay You Manufacture” in 2009—and media reports fromthat time made it sound like the material would be readyfor use in production imminently. However, right now HPMIis producing buckypaper at only a fraction of its potentialstrength, in small quantities and at a high price. Buckypapermay be the aerospace material of tomorrow, but tomorrow, toparaphrase Broadway’s “Annie,” is still a day away.As HPMI notes on its Web site (hpmi.net), “Nanotubereinforced composite materials have yet to demonstrate theirmuch-anticipated success due to non-uniform dispersion,lack of nanotube orientation, and weak interface betweennanotubes and the matrix.” The institute is currentlyresearching an innovative processing method to improvenanotube-reinforced polymer composites using buckypaper/resin infusion techniques. The goals of the project are to prepareand test nanotube reinforced composites using a highmagnetic field to realize nanotube alignment and establisha comprehensive database for producing and deployingbuckypaper/resin infusion composite materials.Inside HPMISituated inside a new $20 million, 45,000-ft 2 (4185-m 2 )building that houses 13 laboratories, HPMI brings togetherhighly technical researchers and state-of-the-art equipmentto continually explore and realize the astounding potential ofNOLES, or nanotubes optimized for lightweight exceptionalstrength. Researchers go from idea to concept to prototypeand beyond, working one-on-one with private businessesand the government with complete confidentiality to meet thespecific needs of each partner.Both researchers and students have access to the facility’sequipment, which is valued at more than $10 million.94 ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com | March 2013