GVD Corporation is developing electrically-conductive wing skins for morphing aircraft. Theseskins make use of GVD’s solvent-free conductive polymer coating technique, which impartselectrical conductivity to non-conductive polymer foam skins. There is particular Department ofDefense interest in unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) that morph. Morphing UAVs can take on abroad range of different mission types (reconnaissance, attack), and can be re-tasked with newmissions while still in flight. Lightweight polymer foams are attractive candidates for morphingUAV wing skins, and tend to be thermally-activated. However, rapid volumetric heating of thefoams is difficult due to the foams’ low thermal conductivity. GVD’s conductive coatingsfacilitate resistive heating and activation of the foam wing skins for rapid morphing. GVD’sapproach to rendering wing skins conductive is simple and scalable, preserves the desireddeformability of the skins, and enables efficient morphing.
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