CNT-TAILORED COMPOSITE SPACE-BASED STRUCTURES
An apparatus having a composite space-based structure with a first carbon nanotube infused material and a second carbon nanotube infused material. The first and second carbon nanotube infused materials each having a range of carbon nanotube loading selected to provide different functionalities.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a structure for use in space comprising a composite structure that comprises at least:
a first carbon nanotube infused material imparting a first functionality to the structure, the first functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electrostatic discharge prevention, electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal conductivity, and transfer of electric signals; and
a second carbon nanotube infused material imparting a second functionality to the structure, the second functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electrostatic discharge prevention, electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal conductivity, and transfer of electric signals.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the composite structure comprises a third carbon nanotube infused material.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 0% and 2%.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to damage, and wherein the first functionality is damage sensing.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to tension, and wherein the first functionality is tensile strength.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to compression, and wherein the first functionality is compressive strength.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 2% and 5%.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to ice formation, and wherein the first functionality is de-icing.
9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to shear, and wherein the first functionality is shear strength.
10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to cracking, and wherein the first functionality is crack resistance.
11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to buildup of electrical charge, and wherein the first functionality is electrostatic discharge prevention.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 5% and 40%.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to exposure to electromagnetic interference, and wherein the first functionality is electromagnetic interference shielding.
14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to provide thermal conductivity, and wherein the first functionality is thermal conductivity.
15 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure proximate electric circuitry, and wherein the first functionality is transfer of electric signals.
16 . A method comprising:
providing a structure for use in space comprising a composite structure that comprises at least:
a first carbon nanotube infused material imparting a first functionality to the structure, the first functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electrostatic discharge prevention, electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal conductivity, and transfer of electric signals; and
a second carbon nanotube infused material imparting a second functionality to the structure, the second functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electrostatic discharge prevention, electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal conductivity, and transfer of electric signals.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material and the second carbon nanotube infused material overlap.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
determining the first functionality; and
selecting a first carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material based on the first functionality.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
determining the second functionality; and
selecting a second carbon nanotube loading of the second carbon nanotube infused material based on the second functionality.
20 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure for use in space comprises a satellite.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the satellite comprises:
a bus comprising the first nanotube infused material comprising a mid-range of carbon nanotube loading, wherein the first functionality comprises shear strength and electrostatic discharge prevention;
an inner layer comprising the second nanotube infused material comprising a high range of carbon nanotube loading, wherein the second functionality comprises electromagnetic interference shielding;
one or more mounting junctions comprising a third nanotube infused material comprising a mid-range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a third functionality to the structure, wherein the third functionality comprises shear strength;
a damage sensing layer comprising a fourth nanotube infused material comprising a low range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a fourth functionality to the structure, wherein the fourth functionality comprises damage sensing; and
an inner layer comprising a fifth nanotube infused material comprising a low range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a fifth functionality to the structure, wherein the fifth functionality comprises stiffness and dimensional stability.
22 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure for use in space comprises a rocket or a shuttle.