Computationally Guided Carbon Nanotube Composites for Space Applications

Transformative advances in composite materials could usher a new era in space exploration. The research focuses on harnessing the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the strongest known synthetic fibers. The project extends the mesoscopic distinct element method tool pioneered by the candidate fellow to simulate the critical mesoscopic scale of a CNT raw material, where an extreme variability in network topology of CNT cross-linked by catalyst nanoparticles are encountered. The specific work will focus on the bridging the atomistic and mesoscopic scales, although paths for linking the mesoscopic discrete and continuous level simulations will be explored. The expanded toll will fill a gap in the simulation methods for CNT yarn formation and will mark an important step toward computationally-guided manufacturing of CNT composites.

Keywords:carbon nanotubes (CNTs), catalyst nanoparticles

Disciplines:Particle reinforced materials, Materials science and engineering not elsewhere classified