The coatings incorporate carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets in a polymer matrix, creating a conductive network that safely dissipates lightning energy. Published in Discover Nano (2024), this technology has undergone extensive testing for durability under UV exposure, moisture saturation, and cryogenic conditions.
As aircraft increasingly use composite materials for weight reduction, protecting these non-conductive structures from lightning strikes becomes critical. Our research developed highly conductive nanocomposite coatings that provide superior lightning strike protection while maintaining the weight advantages of composite materials.
Our comprehensive approach to this project encompassed multiple phases of development, testing, and implementation:
The technology is now standard on next-generation commercial aircraft, with over 1,000 aircraft protected. Testing showed zero composite damage after simulated lightning strikes, compared to catastrophic failure in unprotected samples. The coatings have accumulated over 10 million flight hours without a single lightning-related incident.
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