NanoRidge Materials, Inc. - Principal Investigator: Christopher Dyke
Objective: The purpose of this program is to develop a unique conductor for use in subsea umbilicals and power transmission. As offshore developments move into deeper water and have longer step-out distances, subsea umbilicals must be improved. Offshore umbilicals must withstand substantial installation and service loads, deliver significant amounts of power and have an extended operational life. As drilling depths increase, conventional copper wire cannot support its own weight. Design engineers have considered this issue and determined one solution is a lighter, higher current carrying capacity conductor. This three-year project shall produce a carbon-nanotube based conductor with less resistivity and higher current carrying capacity than copper at 1/6th its weight.
Period of Performance: August 3, 2012 to August 2, 2015