More Cyclopps research into polymers and potential partners. For me this all started with this press release so I hope the thread will follow along with me:
Novel Polymer Created for Aerospace Industry to Hit Market Soon
SALT LAKE CITY--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 2, 1997--A new, lightweight material which is economically processed and extremely strong and heat resistant has been developed for use in aerospace, was announced Thursday by Cyclopss Biochemical Corp. and Foster-Miller Inc.
Specific applications include jet engine components as well as aircraft and spacecraft structural components.
The two companies today inked a Limited Liability Corporation (''LLC'') to commercialize the new high performance polymer system. The material could fill a critical need in the aerospace industry and is now undergoing qualification testing as part of a NASA grant. Most of the current high temperature systems suffer from drawbacks including difficulty in processing and negative health and environmental impacts.
The LLC, PYROGONN Inc., is the culmination of years of research and development. The project began in 1982 when Cyclopss Biochemical Corp. was contracted by McDonnell Douglas Astronautics to develop a process to manufacture a monomer which held promise in the aerospace industry.
The study resulted in a process patent which is now held by the LLC. Major companies such as Hercules Inc. and Thiokol Inc. have shown significant interest in the monomer over the years. Foster-Miller has now succeeded in formulating a resin system which utilizes the material to produce the composite product.
Cyclopss Corp. (NASDAQ:OZON) located in Salt Lake City is the parent company of Cyclopss Biochemical Corp., a manufacturer of high quality specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates. Cyclopss Corp. is a leader in the development and application of ozone-based systems.
Ozone is one of the most effective disinfectants and oxidants and has begun to replace chlorine and other environmentally-unfriendly disinfectants. Cyclopss has recently been in the news because of its ozone technology that kills e.coli and other microbes and bacteria found in some foods.
Foster-Miller Inc. is a technology development firm based in Waltham, Mass. and provides research and development services directed towards novel materials and specialized machinery, including robotics, and materials research for clients in government, aerospace, utilities and other commercial environments.
Contact:
Cyclopss Corp., Salt Lake City
William Stoddard, 801/972-9090
or
Foster-Miller Inc., Waltham
Jay Boyce, 617/290-0092
More news for referenced ticker symbols: OZON, and related industries: aerospace, chemicals, medical, retail,
textiles.
Additional news and quotes: Hercules Inc - HPC.
Working under a NASA grant to what end? Lets look at NASA's polymer initiatives.
tag-www.larc.nasa.gov
High Performance Polymers and Composites
High performance polymers and composites developed and fabricated at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) present significant advances in the field of polymer science and engineering. As neat resins, the polymers exhibit excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures: good solvent resistance, excellent processability and outstanding toughness. These polymers can be used in a variety of applications including hot melt adhesives, mechanical parts, binders, atomic oxygen resistant coatings, fibers, and as high performance matrix resins in advanced composites.
Potential Commercial Uses
Electronics/Optics: Protective coatings, flexible multilayer circuit boards, thin film adhesives, optical fiber and sensor coating, flat panel displays, reflective surfaces
Aerospace: Atomic oxygen resistant coatings, hot melt adhesives, advanced fiber-reinforced composites, wire and cable coatings, honeycomb structures, radomes, space structures, primary/secondary aircraft structures
Mechanical Parts: Bearings, gears, self-lubricating washers and rings, valves, thrust washers, shaft seals, gaskets, motor and pump housing
Textiles: High strength fibers, chemically resistant coatings, flame resistant materials, lightweight protective armor
Medical/Health: Lightweight supports, prosthetics, reusable, autoclaveable medical plastics
Benefits
Lightweight/high strength complex composite structures can be cost effectively constructed, replacing heavy traditional materials
Parts can be both integrated into or eliminated from a structure using advanced composites, saving overall fabrication time, machining, and total parts count
Resins can be compression molded, extruded, and/or machined to afford strong, high precision mechanical parts
As thermally stable electronic coatings and films, these polymers can be used in the fabrication of dense and/or flexible electronic components and parts
The Technology
Polymer Chemistry - There are two primary classes of polymers: thermoplastics and thermosets. The thermoplastics (i.e. polyethylene, polyesters, polyimides) can be thermally reformed into additional shapes. The thermosets (i.e. epoxies, phenolics, polyurethanes) are cured to a specific shape and cannot be thermally reformed without destroying the resin. Each system offers advantages and disadvantages.
Several new NASA Langley thermoplastic polyimides are commercially available or can be licensed. These include LaRC(TM)-IA, IAX, ITPI, SI, 8515, and PAEBI-AOR. Each of these thermoplastic resins can be used in many if not all of the following applications: thin films, coating, molded parts, adhesive films and tapes, fibers, binders, advanced composites, electrical parts, melt or solution spun fibers, foams, and reflective surface.
Also available are several new thermosetting resins which are also either commercially available or can be licensed. These include LaRC(TM) RP-46 (winner of the 1992 R & D 100 award), and PETI-1, 2, 4 and 5. These thermosetting resins can be used in many if not all of the following applications: thin films, adhesive films and cloth, advanced composite structures, and molded parts.
As polymer technology advances, so must fabrication technology. NASA Langley has developed several novel manufacturing processes to develop advanced composite structures with greater speed and at lower cost. These include dry fiber coating, ribbonizing, high solids film impregnation, expansion molding, and advanced/automated tow placement. These processes can also be easily integrated into standard manufacturing systems, including compression molding and autoclaving.
Options for Commercialization
NASA seeks industrial partnerships to cooperatively develop commercial products based on polymer technology and fabrication processes. NASA currently holds a variety of patents on revolutionary polymers and manufacturing technologies which are available for prototype fabrication and process development.
These commercialization/technological development opportunities are part of the NASA Technology Transfer Program. The objective of this program is to proactively involve the private sector in NASA's programs to ensure that the technology developed will have maximum commercial impact.
See Working With NASA Langley: The Technology Transfer Process for more details
Fill out the Commercialization/Partnership Form if you are interested in commercializing or partnering to further develop this technology.
Key Words
polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, mechanical parts, electronic materials, coatings, films, lightweight materials,
adhesives, fibers
Research Organization
db-www.larc.nasa.gov
How about potential partners Thiokol and Hercules Inc? Lets visit their URLS and see what's up there:<i/>
thiokol.com
herc.com
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