By Preston Carraway

Deputy Director,
Technology Commercialization Office
NASA Langley Research Center

Whether studying earth, developing new aerospace transportation systems, exploring our galaxy or examining the origins of the universe, advanced materials technologies have played a significant role in NASA missions since the agency’s inception in 1958. The result of a long and significant history of materials technology development programs is an impressive list of new ceramics, lubricants, lightweight alloys, high-performance and electronic polymers, adhesives, sealants, composites, smart materials, films, catalysts, flame retardants, insulation, coatings and many other materials. Many of these are in products we use every day.

This issue of Innovation highlights NASA-sponsored advanced materials research that can play a role in everyday life. NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year, a space age thermoplastic, has potential commercial applications for ultraviolet-resistant coatings and additives. NASA Technology Increases Faucet Finish Life shows how Moen Incorporated used NASA’s Glenn Research Center scientists’ knowledge in emerging technologies for surface modification. Technology Works to Transform Transformers covers the development of high-temperature superconducting wires at the Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center. Composite Coating Increases Bearing Life was accomplished through a high-temperature composite coating developed at Glenn to increase the life of foil air bearings. Next-Generation Polymers Developed for Electronics were initially developed at Langley Research Center for NASA’s high-speed research program. Thermal Insulation Protects Drivers of race cars against excessive cockpit heating highlights insulation originally developed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle. Flywheels Make the Grade discusses how flywheels can be used as an energy source aboard the International Space Station; a factor in the successful test of the flywheels was the development and identification of materials. Materials Processing Technology Transferred to Industry could mean improved performance and gas mileage for aerospace planes. New Lab Plans to Impact Engine Design at Glenn Research Center covers the testing of materials for aircraft engine housings. Liquid Rocket Engine Performance Improved discusses the use of high-temperature oxidation-resistant thruster materials developed as a result of a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. Safer, Environmentally Friendly Coating Developed for government and industrial applications was the result of a collaboration involving Kennedy Space Center.

Advanced materials technologies will continue to be a major focus of NASA programs as we develop our "roadmaps" for future projects. Some mission needs that have already been identified are: lightweight, affordable propulsion system components; low-cost, lightweight, high-performance airframe materials and structures; integral airframe structures; advanced thermal and radiation protection materials; reusable, lightweight composite airframes; cryogenic tank structures; oxidation resistant carbon-carbon hot structures; high-temperature materials for lightweight structures; lightweight solar sails; materials for radiation-hardened electronics and sensors for working at extreme environments on planets, comets and asteroids; and ultralight materials for inflatable deployment of large-diameter structures.

In the future, nanotechnology will fuel the capability to manipulate matter at the atomic level. We will measure the way we design and build our systems by the atom, not by the pound. Today, we are developing material systems, at the molecular level, that are 100 times stronger than steel at one-sixth the weight. Using nanotechnology, we will build systems on a scale 1,000 times smaller than today.

As we expand our horizons, we will develop biologically inspired materials that self-repair when damaged and structures that self-assemble to achieve near-perfect final shapes. We will develop concepts for aircraft that change their shape in-flight like birds to optimize performance or perform complex maneuvers in complete safety.

It is an interesting journey–one that NASA does not want to make alone. We are announcing an aggressive new strategy to find industry partners to share the risks and rewards of new technology development efforts. Both parties will benefit. NASA and its industry partners will be able to take advantage of each other’s expertise. NASA will reduce its mission costs; industry will decrease its product development costs. The new approach will enable NASA to meet its ambitious technology-driven program goals while providing industry with technologies for new products that will benefit the nation’s economy.