The U.S. Air Force has awarded a research grant to a New York state company to further develop a process that makes nanostructured material for military use.
High velocity deformation (HVD) technology by NanoDynamics, Buffalo, according to the company, is cost effective and uses available machining equipment to produce the nanocrystalline tantalum. NanoDynamics will use the award from the U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Program to optimize and scale-up production, explore consolidation approaches and produce tantalum plate for testing by the Air Force.
Tantalum, which could enhance metals, such as steel, aluminum and titanium, is used in transportation and construction and for specially shaped charges for blasting petrochemical wells. It also has properties for components in hightemperature and/or corrosivechemicalprocessing environments.