Project Title:

Synthesis of Nanoceramics in Microgravity

94-1			15.01		1354

Synthesis of Nanoceramics in Microgravity

Abstract:

Microgravity provides a unique opportunity to understand and 
develop advanced material processes in particular those that are 
significantly affected natural convection. One such process 
relates to the synthesis of advanced nanoceramics. Nanoceramics 
are a broad new class of materials with unprecedented 
microstructures and properties. These materials have considerable 
commercial potential both in monolithic materials and in device 
applications. The ultimate realization of the commercial 
potential. however significant depends on the development of an 
economical process to produce nanoceramics in commercial viable 
quantities. The current syntectic routes to nanoccramics are 
natural convection driven and are undeveloped and poorly 
understood.  Major technical and commercial breakthroughs will 
result if the effect of gravity on nanoceramic synthesis is 
understood. Nanomaterials Research Corporation (NRC) will, to 
this purpose. investigate nanoceramic synthesis in microgravity 
during this program. NRC will, during Phase I, establish the 
relevance of natural convection to the synthesis process by a 
series of systematic experiments. During Phase II. NRC will 
understand. model and optimize the convection effects and 
translate the knowledge towards commercialization of nanoceramics 
and during Phase III. scale up and commercialize nanoceramics in 
bulk quantities for industrial applications 

For NASA, nanoceramics will lead to many applications. such as: 
low cost net-shape formed ceramics for structural and thermal 
protection applications; extremely strong long life materials for 
extreme environments; gas pumps for bioapplications: and sensors 
for oxidation detection. Beyond aerospace applications 
nanoceramics will open up the possibility of assembling size 
selected atom clusters into novel materials with dramatically 
improved properties, properties that will enable us to engineer 
controlled optical electronic chemical and mechanical properties 
with attendant commercial applications. 

Key Words

Nanomaterials Research Corporation     
10960 N. Stallard Pl.
Tucson AZ 85737