There has been intensive demand of an enhanced conductive material in areas of the aerospace, electric vehicles, industrial and rail markets. Deploying an enhanced conductive material into these markets has the potential to support transformational technology for power distribution devices/systems that impact our daily lives. Our team (NAECO-GTRI-PNNL) is pursuing development of composite metal wires by integrating nano-carbon additives into copper (Cu) or Cu-based alloy, which shows >12% over the benchmark (>65 MS/m). The content, interface, and dispersion of the additives in the metal domain is systemically investigated and controlled to achieve the goal. We will also validate measurements of conductivity and other physical/mechanical properties.
Project contacts: Jinho Park, Francisco Valdes
