BUFFALO, N.Y., June 9 -- MetaMateria Partners (MMP), a Columbus, Ohio, subsidiary of nanomaterials developer NanoDynamics Inc., of Buffalo, has received a $750,000 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II award from the US Navy. MetaMateria will make nanosized ceramic particles to be used in producing transparent windows for military applications. The objective of the Navy program is to develop an optical material acceptable for use in next-generation infrared sensors on missiles and aircrafts.
"The target material must be of high quality with excellent mechanical properties and durable enough to protect these delicate sensors from harsh operating conditions, including debris impact at supersonic velocities," NanoDynamics said. "Yttrium oxide represents one potential candidate material for infrared windows because of its high infrared transparency, with specific application as domes for high-speed IR guided missiles operating in 3-5 micrometer mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) band."
MetaMateria will synthesize nanoparticles of yttria, create stable dispersions of the nanosized ceramic in liquid then produce performs that can be sintered at high temperatures to create a fully dense, transparent window material. While the results are expected to produce a stronger material, NanoDynamics said, the technology to make concentrated dispersions of nanoparticles and their consolidation using colloidal processing has broader application to the manufacture of materials having a nano-grained microstructure and improved optical, mechanical or electrical properties.
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