TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Synthesis and Development of Polyurethane Coatings Containing Fluorine Groups for Adhesive Applications (LAR-TOPS-272)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.

THE TECHNOLOGY: Accumulation of insect strikes on the leading edge of airplane wings is a more serious problem than one might realize. Depending on the magnitude, such accumulation changes the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing causing a change from laminar to turbulent flow and resulting in decreased lift and increased drag. Overall, this also results in decreased fuel efficiency.

According to a study published in 1950, the drag coefficient measured on an aircraft wing was determined to increase as much as 100%. Although much work has been done to mitigate this problem. Proposed solutions include elastic surfaces, coatings, soluble films, and fluid covers. Each of these approaches had significant drawbacks.

Coatings offer an advantage over previous strategies due to ease of application, potentially negligible weight penalty, reduced environmental concerns, better economics, and continual function throughout the flight profile. In this present innovation, a particular coating has been developed that is similar to the basic component of a majority of aerospace coatings used on commercial aircraft. This coating was then sprayed from a solvent on various substrates.

Once spray-coated on a substrate and dried, the coatings were then tested for adhesion mitigation of insect residues in a controlled insect impact facility propelled toward the engineered surface at approximately 150 mph. Once impacted, these coatings demonstrated hydrophobicity and a significant reduction in contaminant adhesion. The coatings were further tested in an operational environment on the eco-demonstrator Boeing 757 aircraft.

The coatings resulted in lower insect accumulation than the control surface (no coating). The durability of these coatings was comparable to state-of-the-art formulations and satisfies current aircraft manufacturing requirements. These coatings likely have advantageous use in aerospace applications, wind turbine systems, and automotive industry, among other industries.

This innovation not only appears to solve a problem that has persisted, thus fulfilling an unmet need, but also comprises a new composition of matter that can lead to numerous unforeseen applications.

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-272 If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information.

For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.