Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: To address the Navy"s need for electrostatics-based technologies for a protective coa

Description

To address the Navy"s need for electrostatics-based technologies for a protective coating application to complex ship structural surfaces, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to continue developing a new Alternating Injected Charge Electrospray (ALICE) technology. The prototype device built in Phase I is based on a new design that utilizes in-house developed proprietary components and COTS components. The innovation in charge injection methodology and control of the spraying process enables the ALICE coating system to produce uniform, edge-retentive, defect-free protective coatings on grounded metallic surfaces, while maintaining excellent compatibility with the wide range of Navy-qualified coating systems. As a result, this innovative technology offers non-line-of-sight, wrap-around structure coating, eliminating the overhead of unnecessary touch-ups, directly addressing the Ship"s PEO requirements for a reliable method for coating irregularly shaped shipboard structures, such as ballast tanks, cargo holds, and hull voids. In Phase I, POC demonstrated the feasibility of ALICE by fabricating and testing a proof-of-concept prototype, evaluating the new approach versus the state-of-the-art electrostatic and nonelectric technologies, and creating a plan for Phase II. In Phase II, POC plans to develop and manufacture a practical, shipyard-deployable coating system, along with operational protocols and documentation, for initial testing at a Navy shipbuilding facility.