KS Firm Says Technology Could Improve Construction

From pizza boxes, to ski boots, to... Cessnas? If Thermal Solutions of Wichita, KS has its way, the same technology used to keep those first two items warm could also help planemakers build better composite aircraft structures.

The Wichita Eagle reports Thermal Solutions has teamed with Israel's Advanced Coding Systems to adapt its microwire technology for use in the aerospace industry. The tiny wires -- three of them would equal the width of a human hair -- may be used to monitor temperatures of composite materials when building aircraft.

According to the Eagle, the companies demonstrated the technology to three Wichita-area manufacturers recently -- and they were heartened by the response.

"There is great enthusiasm," said Advanced Coding Systems CEO Doron Dreyer. "We're very encouraged."

Instead of the current method for monitoring composite temperatures during the curing process -- attaching sensors to the material, which sometimes includes punching holes in the structure -- the system proposed by the two companies would weave microwires into the resin polymers and carbon components of modern composites before the surfaces are formed.

"It's really tedious to basically glue a bunch of sensors to the surface or puncture into the material," said Thermal Solutions president Brian Clothier. "This way there's no group of hanging wires coming out of the part."

A handheld sensor could then monitor how the microwires react to temperature variances. Due to their incredibly small size and light weight, Clothier said, microwires heat very quickly... and give engineers information on whether autoclave temperatures are too hot, or too cool.

Chances are, you've already sampled Thermal Solutions' use of heat-retention technology. The company manufactures pizza boxes and other food-delivery devices that hold in heat... as well as other systems, like hospital plate-warmers.

Clothier says his company's foray into the aerospace industry is an example of natural evolution.

"We are constantly trying to reinvent ourselves," he said. "We try to invent things. If we don't obsolete ourselves, somebody else will."

FMI: www.acs-coding.com