Composite tape spring with engineered deployment energy using nanoparticles and methods of making

1 . A device for storing energy for the deployment of a structure comprising:

a tape spring, said tape spring comprised of an elastic layer located in between one or more viscoelastic layers to form an elongated tape spring having a longitudinal axis;

said tape spring including a plurality of alumina nanoparticles located in said viscoelastic;

said tape spring having a rolled state and an unfurled state;

in said rolled state said tape spring stores energy;

in said unfurled state said tape spring exerts energy and deploys a structure; and

wherein said alumina nanoparticles reduce the long-term creep and stress relaxation effects of radiation and thermal degradation.

2 . The device of claim 1 wherein said elastic layer includes unidirectional carbon fibers held in place by epoxy, said fibers run parallel to said longitudinal axis.

3 . The device of claim 2 wherein one or more said viscoelastic layers include one or more carbon fiber fabrics.

4 . The device of claim 3 wherein said one or more viscoelastic layers include one or more carbon fiber fabrics, aid fabric comprising a plurality of fibers oriented at ±45° to said longitudinal axis.

5 . The device of claim 1 wherein said nanoparticles are 2% weight alumina nanoparticles.