Carbon fiber is a strong yet lightweight material made of thin strands of carbon atoms bonded together in a polymer resin. It is made by pulling carbon fibers through epoxy resin and sealing with silk glass. The orientation of the fibers determines the strength. Researchers are working to lower the cost to make carbon fiber more accessible for clean energy technologies. Carbon fiber has many applications due to its high strength to weight ratio and resistance to heat.

1. Carbon Fiber ResearchBy: Stephanie Osiecki, Amanda Buhr, Kimberly Schultz, & Brittany Haakenson

2. How does the new technology work?Epoxy resin reinforced carbon fiber fabric2 or 3 layersSealed with silk glass Orientation determines strengthWeight-to-strength ratio, stiffness and resistance, and light weight = reliable investment for high performance products

3. Components That Allow the New Technology to OperateGraphene sheets (most common), fullerene nanotubes, and buckeyballsMedicine, nanotechnology, geoengineering, biology, and electronicsEpoxy resin and carbon fiber fabric, aka reinforced plastic (epoxy) by a graphite textileFibers’ interwoven direction = strength of structure (strong point or equal strength)2-3 layers + silk glass sealing Several tons of force to make most minimal impact

4. What Are Components Made of?Parts created by epoxy resin and carbon fiber fabric moldsNanotubes-cylindrical, small frames with high surface area that unites to deposited carbon atomsBuckeyballs-same, but spherical cage structurePAN-most common, extreme tensile strengthMesophase Pitch-customized, higher stiffness, more electrochemical with higher ionic intercalation, greater electrical and thermal conductivity, different friction assets

5. Scientific ConceptsNearly every company wants to improve previous modelsStrong, light-weight material Better weight-to-strength ratio than steelResistant to stretching under intense heat

6. Influences on Carbon Fiber Development1950-Rayon usedReplaced with PAN and pitch-currently used1970s-used for initial commercialization and aerospaceExpanded to sporting goods, industrial, automotive, wind energy and fuel cells, etc.

7. What is the new technological research?U.S. Department of Energy received $34.7 million from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make vehicles energy efficientPrice lowered to $5 per lb instead of $10-$20 per lb for clean energy technology Carbon nanotubes as energy alternative at MITHeat passes through, moving electrons with it, generating current that scales with wave velocityAllow ultra-small electronic devices with sensors and treatments to be injected into body

8. The ResearchersThomas Edisonused carbonized cotton or bamboo filaments for incandescence lamps

9. Current ResearchUnion CarbideJapan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers

10. Impacts of Carbon FibersItems used by Carbon Fiber: money clips, cars, furniture, toilet seat covers…Expensive but Eco-FriendlyEliminates toxinsTravel farther with less fuelNothing else like it

11. Action ProposalReasons For Success in the Market:SafeLight weightDurable materialEnvironmentally friendly Reduces fuel

12. Additional FactorsProduction process is carefully monitored:TemperatureGas flowChemical composition

13. Possible Negative FactorVery expensiveCurrent price= $10-20 per poundResearchers have been working to lower the price to less than $5 per pound

14. Carbon Fiber Car

15. References (1870). Thomas edison in studio with his industrial “edison bulbs” [Photo]. (2009, April 02). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://loftlifemag.com/mu/?p=14832000-up mitsubishi eclipse carbon fiber hood. (2007). Retrieved May 04, 2010, from http://www.hood-scoop.com/carbon-fiber-hood/index.htm2010 Bimota db7r diavolorosso Image [Photo]. (2009, November 26). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://top-motorcycle-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-bimota-db7r-diavolo-rosso.htmlAnissimov, M. (2010, April 08). What is carbon fiber? Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-carbon-fiber.htmAnissimov, M. (2010, February 28). What is a buckeyball? Retrieved May 04, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-buckyball.htm

16. ReferencesAston martin one-77 [Photo]. (2009). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://www.one-77.com/gallery.htm Carbon fiber 101 by opp-macmoto. (2010). Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.php?page=carbon_fiber_101Carbon fiber. (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Carbon-Fiber.htmlCarbon-fiber car of the future. (2010, April 28). Retrieved April 28, 2010, from http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/oer08.sci.engin.design.futurecar/Carbon fiber gear. (2010). Retrieved April 28, 2010, from http://www.carbonfibergear.com/#

17. ReferencesFunding carbon fiber research projects. (2010, February). Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/articles/0210_sw13_carbonfiber.htmlThe history of carbon fiber. (2009). Retrieved April 22, 2010, from http://www.carbon-fiber-hood.net/cf-historyMehta, A. (2003). Carbon fiber research honored. chemical and engineering news, 81(42), Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://pubs.acs.org/cen/NCW/8142acsn.html doi: ISSN 0009-2347Message (Japan carbon fiber manufacturers association). (2009, June 17). Received May 02, 2010, from http://www.carbonfiber.gr.jp/english/Oakley c six [Photo]. (2009). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://www.oakley.com/pd/6409

18. ReferencesORNL receives recovery act funding for carbon fiber technology center. (2009, December 04). Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20091204-00The university of tennessee space institute. (2010). Retrieved April 26, 2010, from http://www.utsi.edu/research/carbonfiber/CF.htmUsing carbon nanotubes to produce electricity. (2010, March 17). Retrieved April 22, 2010, from http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/carbon-nanotubes-produce-electricity/