Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC (ANS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation dedicated to the rapid development and commercialization of nanotechnology. ANS has developed a revolutionary way to grow Carbon Nanostructures (CNS) directly onto various substrates through a continuous and production-scalable process. This process allows a tunable percentage of CNS to be incorporated into composites. ANS was formed in April 2010 coinciding with the signing of a Joint Development Agreement between ANS and Owens Corning. The primary focus of the two-year effort is to commercialize the CNS infusion technology for glass substrates, which can then be utilized in conductive thermoplastics, multifunctional laminates, and high performance composites. In addition, ANS has the capability to grow on other substrates such as ceramics and metals.
CNS-infused fibers and materials are used to create next-generation composite materials, which feature multi-functional properties such as enhanced mechanical properties and metal-like thermal and electrical conductivity. These enhanced properties are useful in a variety of applications including electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for electronics, light weight conductive laminates for both EMI and Lightning Strike Protection, and injection moldable conductive thermoplastics. Some of the initial markets for which the material is being developed include commercial aircraft, rotorcraft, spacecraft, marine craft, and ground vehicles. The overall focus is to develop affordable, cutting-edge nanotechnology-based solutions for the needs of both defense and commercial markets.
