Raytheon Signs Contract To Develop Nano-Thermal-Interface Materials

TEWKSBURY, MA — Raytheon Co. has signed a $6-million-dollar contract to work with nano-thermalinterface materials (nTIM) in the hopes of enhancing the thermal performance of advanced defense- electronics systems. Split into three phases, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program will have a duration of 45 months. According to Raytheon, it will utilize engineered nanomaterials to lower the thermal resistance between interface layers that appear in electronic assemblies (see the figure). Those involved with the program hope their efforts will produce smaller, lighter, less costly, and more capable defense systems.

Partners from Purdue University and Georgia Institute of Technology have agreed to perform nTIM development with Raytheon, which used its OpenAIR business model to gather talent and capabilities, says the company. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will conduct its work at two locations: the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, MA and the Surveillance and Sensors Center in Sudbury, MA.