Technology
NCI technology is based on the physical and electrical properties of nanomaterials. For example, carbon nanotubes (CNT) are cylinders 100,000 times thinner than a human hair and can be viewed as ‘rolled up’ sheets of carbon hexagons. In terms of physical properties, CNT are intrinsically amongst the strongest known, with modulus and tensile strength far exceeding other materials. Moreover, CNT are amongst the best known electrical and thermal conductors, and have unique interactions with various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, potentially enabling a myriad of application opportunities. NCI focuses on applications wherein nanomaterials are dispersed in a polymer matrix, as an enhancing or enabling ingredient, e.g. composite materials. NCI brings to bear proprietary chemical modification of nanomaterials and/or polymers, polymer processing, and compound formulation to achieve materials with demonstrably enhanced capabilities. In brief, the benefits of NCI technology include:
- Greater sealing force
- Greater strength at elevated temperature
- Improved Abrasion Resistance
- Longer Time to Failure
- Multi-functional capability
Future Technology: NCI, in collaboration with Paramata Ltd. (Cambridge UK), is in the early stages of developing a technology called Intrinsic Sensing™, whereby materials such as elastomers, plastics, and carbon fiber laminate structures (CFRP) can be wirelessly interrogated to provide information with respect to temperature, pressure, deformation, or environment.
