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Benoit Simard
Phone: 613-990-0977
Fax: 613-991-2648
Email: Benoit.Simard@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Single-walled Carbon Nanotube-based Materials
NRC is a global leader in developing advanced SWCNT-based materials. SWCNT are the strongest, stiffest and toughest materials known to mankind. They are more than 100 times stronger than steel but only 1/6 of its weight, and can conduct electricity and heat better than any other substance. SWCNT are the ultimate additives for composite materials. They can reduce mechanical failures, reduce weight, eliminate Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI), are excellent flame retardants and yield highly conductive composites. The good news is that as little as 0.1% by weight of SWCNT is needed to impart these amazing properties!
NRC has developed a fully integrated approach to SWCNT advanced composite solutions with full process control, from materials synthesis, formulation chemistries, and certification. A new RF-plasma SWCNT synthesis facility for SWCNT production is now fully operational. New approaches for process refinement to further maximize SWCNT yield and production time are underway and renewable sources of carbon from bio-refining processes are being evaluated.
Chemistry is the most critical component in transferring the properties of SWCNT into new advanced materials and composites and the SWCNT Team at NRC is actively involved in developing mechanisms for adding targeted functionality to SWCNT. The team is expanding its abilities to produce amine terminated SWCNT and develop new metal-SWCNT interface chemistry for metal composite materials. They are also developing chemical routes for chirality separation.
The SWCNT Team also has developed protocols for fabrication processes. For example, they have created fibre filaments and interlocking networked sheets of pure SWCNT for mechanical and conductivity applications. The exceptional strength to weight ratios of these structures makes them particularly useful for ballistic protection. NRC is currently working with policing and security agencies to develop light-weight protective armour against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
NRC is taking a proactive approach for advancing state-of-the-art quantitative SWCNT characterization that will establish internationally certified standard references. Not only will these measures facilitate industry adoption of SWCNT materials, but will provide guidelines to address any health, safety or environmental concerns relating to nanomaterials exposure.
Please contact Dr. Benoit Simard for more information.
