Nanocomp Technologies, of Concord, N.H., was awarded a contract from Northrop Grumman under the U.S. Army Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech) to develop manufacturing best practices for a carbon nanotube (CNT) cabling and tapes, intended for insertion into aircraft as a replacement for conventional copper-based wires and cables.
The two-year program will include configuration and material trade studies to define cable design parameters and replicable manufacturing processes. Nanocomp said the end result will be an optimized manufacturing platform designed to produce efficient and cost-effective materials, so that transition and broad-based implementation of carbon nanotube-based conductors can take place.
“While the company’s carbon nanotube technology is increasingly being viewed as a viable alternative to conventional materials in aerospace applications, this program marks a more significant milestone towards delivering a credible fabrication capability for military aviation, at-scale,” said Peter Antoinette, president and CEO of Nanocomp Technologies.