METSS operates programs for the benefit of the US government as well as private industrial and commercial interests. Our primary mission is to utilize our diverse experience and expertise in advanced and applied science and technology to develop materials and products with near-term potential for commercialization. While capable of conducting basic research and development programs, METSS Corporation typically focuses its efforts on applied technology. Using our knowledge base, we develop innovative, cost-effective solutions to fulfill our client’s needs. Current government programs are focused on defense related problems but the developed solutions typically have applicability in the private sector as well. These include:
- Engineered Synthetic Replacement for Army Heavy Transport Trailer Wooden Decking and Flooring (A20-097)
Military trailers serve in a critical support capacity by transporting equipment and supplies from rear storage and staging areas to their intended point of use. Each trailer model is designed to handle specific types of payloads including personnel carriers, tanks, and armored vehicles, among others. Current trailer systems utilize Apitong, a natural hardwood, as the decking material. While showing good performance in this application, Apitong is a natural product produced from foreign sources that are becoming increasingly scarce. Combined with the tendency for Apitong decking to degrade over time due to environmental exposure to mold and insect attack, an alternative was needed. METSS is using its unique background in polymer chemistry and in the development of novel composite materials to produce a synthetic replacement for Apitong that is stronger, lighter, unaffected by insects and mold, UV-tolerant, and fire-resistant. In addition, the replacement decking materials are formable into any desired shape and can hold fixtures attached by nails or screws.
- Decontamination of Category A Viruses on Porous Surfaces and Sensitive Equipment (SOL-NC-17-00028)
METSS is currently conducting a Phase II SBIR project for the EPA to develop a safe, robust, rapid, and effective chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas dispersion system to be used for on-site room decontamination in hospital and non-hospital settings. This technology will meet the demands of the health care market to decontaminate porous materials and sensitive equipment in rooms or vehicles used for patient care or transport. This need was evident during the care and treatment of Ebola patients in the United States several years ago. At that time, it was clear that many facilities did not have the means to properly disinfect large items, like furniture, on-site; therefore, the items required transport off-site for proper treatment and disposal; a process that has inherent safety risks and associated costs. The ability to decontaminate a room containing porous materials and sensitive equipment on-site and in a non-destructive manner would be invaluable to the health care industry and meet a critical need for low-cost, simple solutions to decontaminate non-medical spaces as well. Based on feedback from potential end-users and results of development testing conducted during the first year of the project, a functional prototype is currently being designed, constructed, and tested. The prototype will ultimately be evaluated in accordance with an EPA-approved protocol entitled “Efficacy of a Disinfectant Applied to a Room Via a Fogger or Misting Device” against a panel of organisms. The results will be submitted to the EPA to register the technology as a room disinfection device and claim “hospital and broad-spectrum” and “virucide” efficacy.
- Chilled brine separation (AF181-011)
This program focuses on practical engineering solutions to remove a contaminant from aqueous glycol solutions at Arnold AFB which are used to adjust the properties of test stand air. The ability to condition the ambient air to operating conditions like experienced by aviation systems (e.g., extreme cold, extreme heat, low pressure, high airspeed, etc.) are critical to base operations. As such, any interruption in service, especially a long-term outage due to equipment damage from contaminant-driven corrosion, is unacceptable. METSS is leveraging a combination of chemistry and sound chemical engineering principles, while working within the existing Arnold equipment, to provide a solution involving the least amount of modification while achieving program goals. A combination of numerical modeling and applied statistics will define the optimal process operating envelope and provide a sound basis for trials in the full-scale system.
- Surface ship fat line towed array cut-resistant vibration isolation module (VIM) hose (N181-034)
Leveraging multiple prior efforts which focused on cut and abrasion resistance of a similar Navy system, the fat line tow cable, as well as increasing the self-sealing and crash and ballistic tolerance of flexible aviation fuel bladders, and the development of novel fly-through covers for tomahawk missiles, METSS is developing a materials solution for the vibration isolation modules (VIMs) used on Navy submarines. These systems require a high degree of flexibility and resilience, yet are vulnerable to cut and abrasions due to various threats including longline fishing hooks that are common in the ocean environment. METSS is currently developing and testing novel materials to enhance VIM resistance to these threats. The overall effort is driven by METSS’ experience with design of experiments and advanced numerical techniques to arrive at a near optimal solution, despite the significant complexity of the system and demanding performance metrics.
- Propellant material additives for electrical ignition application (OSD173-J04)
METSS is enhancing the bulk electrical properties of common propellants for small arms ammunition by incorporating additives that reduce the dielectric strength. This leads to more rapid and efficient electrical ignition without affecting the other desirable bulk properties of the propellant or the energy per unit mass. In turn, this will allow for more consistent internal ballistics which increases accuracy.
- Fast-setting, high-strength, material for expedient pavement repair (AF161-002)
METSS developed a rapid runway repair polymeric pavement patch material for repair of major munitions damage to Air Force runways. The primary goals involved development of a material that could cure within one hour and withstand the pressures and loads from an F-15 or C-17 without undue deflection or creep.
- Improved non-damaging method of removing powder coating system (AF171-094)
METSS is developing a powder coating removal technology that is compatible with multiple substrates including soft metals like magnesium. The stripping technology is primarily chemical and requires only minor mechanical force to limit part attrition. The technology produces a cleaned surface that is defect free and similar to a ‘Near White Metal, SSPC-SP 10, NACE #2 for Steel’ after paint removal. The formulation is less hazardous than products based on methylene chloride and more effective than formulations using benzyl alcohol.
- Fat line tow cable (N151-037)
Under this program, METSS developed a more mechanically robust tow cable for the TB-16 towed array, maintaining the current copper core and cable diameter, while gaining no more than 20% weight when compared with the Lightweight Tow Cable. METSS improved the mechanical properties of the polymeric material used in the outer cable jacket while still meeting other materials performance objectives. Full scale testing was performed with the results showing better performance than the original program targets.
- Synthetic lubricating & hydraulic oil for motion control, steam turbines and gears, military symbol 2190-TEP replacement (N04-160)
This effort resulted in the development of a high-performance synthetic lubricant superior to the current mineral-based oil, 2190-TEP, used aboard naval submarines. METSS designed a fully synthetic lubricant (designated 2190-S) containing a viscous blend of synthetic, engineered hydrocarbons and additives that exceeds requirements described in the MIL-DTL-32353A specification (i.e., targeted improvements for main and auxiliary turbines, gears, air compressors, hydraulic systems, and other mission-critical components). The 2190-S formulation features an array of enhanced chemical, physical, and tribological properties, which collectively improve the lubricant’s thermal stability, resistance to oxidation, lubricity (resistance to seizure and scuffing), and risk against flame propagation. The synthetic oil is currently being integrated into the US submarine fleet but has much broader applications for surface ships, land vehicles, and broadly within the civilian sector where high-performance lubrication is critical.