  Materials comprising carbon nanotube (CNT) aligned nanowire (NW) polymer
nanocomposites (A-PNCs) are emerging as next-generation materials for use in
aerospace structures. Enhanced operating regimes, such as operating
temperatures, motivate the study of CNT aligned NW ceramic matrix
nanocomposites (A-CMNCs). Here we report the synthesis of CNT A-CMNCs through
the pyrolysis of CNT A-PNC precursors, thereby creating carbon matrix CNT
A-CMNCs. Characterization reveals that the fabrication of high strength, high
temperature, lightweight next-generation aerospace materials is possible using
this method. Additional characterization and modeling are planned.
