Research, development and commercialization company, ADA Technologies has secured a contract from NASA to develop a self-healing polymer for application as a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) material.
The contact is worth $100,000. ADA will team up with Dr. Richard Wool from the Center for Composite Materials of University of Delaware to conduct the research
The research will mainly focus on the self-healing properties in FRP materials. FRP composite materials have extensive application in the construction of aerospace components. But, the existing materials have drawback in terms of impact durability.
The self-healing polymer technology from ADA has a potential to improve the damage tolerance and durability of FRP materials. This leads to enhanced structural efficiency and lifespan of space vehicles. Other benefits that would be offered by the technology are reduced launch expenditures and total weight reduction of vehicles.
ADA’s technology can also have potential use in several structural composite applications requiring high damage tolerance such as automobiles, sporting goods, water and wind turbine blades, military marine vessels, aircraft and military and commercial satellites.