JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009 - 28

BUSINESS Human capital …… / NCC: a global source for commercialization, manufacturing acceleration and incubation well as investing in and supporting advanced materials technologies-related companies through its incubation programme. From floor space for scale-up, business spin-off, supplier and distribution sources, the Center’s ability to provide a complete value chain has helped to develop 50 companies and produce over 600 jobs in the last decade. Companies that qualify for incubation typically meet a profile analysis that includes four key elements: an exciting technology, a solid business plan, job growth potential and the ability to return value to NCC. Once vetted, incubation can last two to five years with at least a year to 18 months required per incubation stage. This ensures accelerated incubation and manufacturing. Since NCC measures progress by gross revenue, the Center assigns incubation classifications of 0 to 250k, 250k to 1 million, 1 to 3 million and 3 million plus. This classification process allows NCC to determine upfront how much investment subsidy the company will receive. Select companies are sometimes allowed to incubate for longer periods if ongoing development efforts are demonstrated. Mature companies that do not require incubation but want to develop a new technology can also access the Center’s incubation services. However, the concept must fit the parameters of true commercialization of a process, product or technology. The Center’s newest spin-off company, Buckeye Composites, began its incubation at NCC this year. The new division represents the culmination of development work between NCC and Nanotech Labs in North Carolina, for the production of nano-carbon composites that use buckypaper. Buckypaper contains carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or other carbon nanomaterial in a membrane or paper-like format. Buckeye Composites will focus on commercialization activities, scale-up and manufacture of bucky composite applications. The division’s work is based on recent manufacturing achievements that include the manufacture of a 30.5-cm-wide by 15-m roll of buckypaper – the largest sample known to be produced to date. mould and flexible membrane stay the same. Balanced pressure within the HTF and vacuum on the laminate remove air while compacting and heating the laminate to cure the part. Low viscosity and vacuum on the laminate remove the air. A flexible membrane beneath the mould is bonded into a pressure chamber to create the lower half of a 'clam-shell'-like mould set. A second flexible membrane is bonded to a separate pressure chamber, creating the upper half of the clam-shell. These HTF-filled pressure chambers are clamped together during processing. In this manner, the laminate can be compressed without subjecting the mould to distortion or stress. When compared to gas systems like autoclave and circulating air ovens, this fluid system offers up to 25 times the heat transfer rate. For the manufacturer, this means faster cure rates and shorter cycle times. Improved control of part temperature results in fewer hot or cold spots on the mould, and the release of volatile organic compounds is controlled. The process also offers an option for curing void-free thick parts from standard aerospace materials as well as applications using vinyl ester systems. This 12 inch wide by 50 foot roll of buckypaper is the largest sample known to be produced to date. The company is currently building and installing a 30.5-cm-wide continuous line. Buckypaper product applications will initially target thermal and electrical property enhancements while reducing weight relative to existing material solutions. The ability to incorporate carbon nanotubes in a paper form into composites structures allows the use of existing production processes, making it userfriendly. The method also provides access to the performance properties of CNTs. In addition to the spin off and incubation of Buckeye Composites, NCC is a recognized expert in its work to commercialize thin film applications in nanocomposites. The Center is partnering on a number of projects to develop processing technologies, as well as design and build the associated equipment. Through collaboration with leading government, industrial, and academic partners, NCC is also providing critical engineering and technology support for a variety of nanotechnology programmes. By combining these areas of activity, NCC is building a centre of expertise for total nanocomposite technology solutions. Contact: lnovelli@compositecenter.org More information: www.compositecenter.org This C Spar, displayed at the JEC Show in Paris, was made with the QuickStep process. Incubation services These core competencies support NCC’s ability to help manufacturers commercialize composite applications and accelerate manufacturing of production level parts. The Center also recognized the importance of spinning off capabilities to create new businesses, as 28 jec composites magazine / No49 June 2009

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #49 - June 2009