Advanced Composite Structures

Mission

The Mission of Advanced Composite Structures is to develop technologies that enable the use of high temperature inorganic materials as cost effective products that have significantly increased performance over the state-of-the-art for defense, energy and commercial applications.

Throttled Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS)

Core Competencies

Core competencies include development and production of durable structural components that operate at temperatures ranging from cryogenic to 5000^oF in highly corrosive environments. Our current infrastructure enables the design and production of complex shape ceramic and polymer matrix components greater than ten feet in length. Our cross disciplinary staff consists of chemists, physicists, materials scientists and mechanical engineers who also are developing in situ lifetime health monitors, rapid low-cost laser machining, high temperature sensors, and structural insulating technologies.

Current Research Thrusts Include:

• Ultra-high Temperature Ceramic Composite Structures

- Sponsors: ONR, DARPA, USAF, DOE, Aerojet, Boeing, Lockheed Martin

- Objectives: Produce complex shape radiation cooled, turbine and scram-jet engine flow paths. Develop single use and reusable airframe structures for atmospheric and space vehicles. Develop 4th Generation nuclear reactor components.


• Reduced-Cost Machining of High Temperature Polymer Composite, Ceramic and Ceramic Composite Components

- Sponsors: ONR, NAVAIR, ATK, Pratt and Whitney

- Objectives: Use rapid, non-contact pulsed laser machining to decrease machining time and cost by an order of magnitude in comparison to current practices.


• Thermally Insulating Structures

- Sponsors: ONR, NAVSEA, Boeing

- Objectives: Develop and produce extremely low thermal conductivity sprayed aerogels in structurally efficient, non-parasitic thermal protection systems for atmospheric and space vehicles.


• Reduced Cost Rocket Components

- Sponsors: MDA, SMDC, Aerojet, Raytheon

- Objectives: Produce ceramic components that increase performance while reducing component cost and weight for vehicles such as SM-3, MKV and KEI.



Area Leadership

Dr. Fred Lauten

Advanced Composite Structures is lead by Dr. Frederick S. Lauten. He has over 15 years experience developing high temperature sensors and structural components for aerospace, energy, and ground-based systems for national defense, energy and commercial markets.

Fred Lauten Physical Sciences Inc. 20 New England Business Center Andover, MA 01810-1077 Telephone: (978) 689-0003 Fax: (978) 689-3232 lauten@psicorp.com

 

 

Advanced Composite Structures Publications Advanced Composite Structures Presentations