Surface Modified Metal Nanoparticles for Compatibilization into Fluoropolymer Based Composites

Description

USAFA is seeking unclassified research white papers and proposals that do not contain proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted, it is the offerors’ responsibility to mark the relevant portions of their proposal as specified in USAFA-BAA-2015 Amendment 0003. The Chemistry Research Center invites white papers and proposals (if requested) for studies in many areas described further below. The Chemistry Research Center (CRC) is organized within the Department of Chemistry to plan, execute, and report research in the Department of Chemistry. The mission is to enhance cadet education through participation in research, provide professional development opportunities for faculty members, and support the technology base of the Air Force and Department of Defense. The CRC acquires and manages the resources needed to accomplish those missions. Those resources include: laboratories, shops and storerooms, analytical instrumentation, funds, projects amenable to cadet and faculty participation, and human resources. The CRC currently focuses on preparing functionalized polymer and hybrid polymer composites directed toward developing next-generation, high-performance materials to meet operational Air Force and broader Department of Defense (DoD) mission partner needs. Some specific projects thrusts include (1) development of high use temperature resins and composites for solid rocket motor case and insulation, (2) metastable composites for structural energetics, (3) conducting organic polymers for renewable “green” and efficient light harvesting materials, and (4) omniphobic and stimuli-responsive smart coatings for liquid rocket engine seals in collaboration with our program partners. Teamwork is an important feature of successful execution of research. A typical research project involves one or more faculty members, cadets, permanent support staff members, and temporary technical support staff members. The temporary staff members are crucial to the team, and they come in the form of National Research Council post-doctoral associates, Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) collaborators, and R&D support contractors. The USAFA is seeking unclassified research white papers and proposals that do not contain proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted it is the offerors’ responsibility to mark the relevant portions of the white paper/proposal as specified in USAFA-BAA-2015. Specific to this call, research in the area of developing new organofluorine methodologies using both experimental and computational means of approach towards fluoropolymer based composites will take place on site using the laboratories and analytical instrumentation located in the Department of Chemistry at the US Air Force Academy (USAFA). A short description of the chemistry research facilities and equipment is available at https://www.usafa.edu/research/research-centers/chemistry-research-center.

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