Conductive and Transparent Silsesquioxane Kapton Polyimides
DoD-Air Force Phase I Contract FA9300-06-M-3008
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is devoted to developing transparent conductive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) Kapton-based polyimides. Introduction of additives to the copolymer matrix will result in a conductive POSS-polyimide without the loss of transparency, mechanical strength or thermal stability. During Phase II of this program, the material’s performance in a simulated low earth orbit environment will be fully characterized.
The transparent conductive POSS Kapton polyimides will provide a long needed solution to problems associated with spacecraft charging which can result in the damage or complete loss of space satellites or instrumentation. Other potential applications include EMI shielding, packaging of electronic materials, protection of metals against corrosion, and manufacture of conductive textiles.