Nano-Enabled Technologies for Naval Aviation Applications

Abstract : Nano-technology is a rapidly emerging area of importance to Naval aviation. NAWCAD has identified nano-materials and meta-material technologies as an area of strategic importance. In order to better define the investment areas required, three nano-technology study groups were held in the areas of (i) energy and power, (ii) airframe structures, and (iii) electronics & meta-materials. Each study group consisted of a small number of technical experts drawn from academia, industry, DoD, and NAVAIR. The study group on energy and power concluded that power and thermal requirements for Directed Energy Weapons, Unmanned Air Vehicles, Electromagnetic Launch Systems and ground support systems will drive the need for nano-enabled technology. Nano-technologies of importance to naval aviation, to name a few, are: Carbon Nano Tubes for batteries, graphene for capacitors, nano-structured non-precious metal catalysts for Fuel Cells, and phase change materials for thermal management. This paper reports the results of the study group and links together nano-technology, applications, and required core capabilities.