Commercial Development of Nano-based Products Moves Ahead

Nanocomposites research and the massive benefits it promises have attracted considerable press coverage over the past decade. Actual commercial development of nano-based products for composites, however, has been slow. But a new partnership between Applied NanoStructured Solutions LLC, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, and Owens Corning is about to accelerate growth. ANS has worked for more than three years to develop a rapid, scalable manufacturing process that can produce reinforcements infused with carbon nanostructures (CNS) for composites fabrication. With Owens Corning now on board as a joint development partner, ANS seeks to commercialize the process for high-volume applications.The technology, known as CER (carbon-enhanced reinforcements), is now under consideration for a number of applications. Electronics applications, such as electromagnetic interference shielding or lightning strike protection, are the initial targets, but others are in the sights.Learn more from CompositesWorld.