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Development of a Robust, Highly Efficient Oxygen-Carbon Monoxide Cogeneration System

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX11CE35P
Agency Tracking Number: 105118
Amount: $99,975.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X1.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-02-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-09-29
Small Business Information
5395 West 700 South
Salt Lake City, UT -
United States
DUNS: 858801483
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Greg Tao
 Principal Investigator
 (801) 530-4987
 gtao@msrihome.com
Business Contact
 Anthony Decheek
Title: Business Official
Phone: (801) 530-4987
Email: adecheek@msrihome.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This small business innovation research is intended to develop a long-life, highly efficient O2-CO cogeneration system to support NASA's endeavors to pursue extraterrestrial exploration (Moon, Mars, and Asteroids/Phobos). The cogeneration system will be built using a Tubular, Negative Electrode-supported Solid-Oxide Electrolysis Cell (Tune-SOEC) employing MSRI's most promising degradation-resistant ceramic materials and a unique cell design. The system will be capable of co-generating breathable oxygen and CO fuel directly from carbon dioxide extracted from the Martian atmosphere, lunar regolith/soil, or from the cabin air of extraterrestrial human missions at 750~850ºC. In Phase I, CO2 electrolysis degradation mechanisms will be investigated via nonequilibrium thermodynamic analyses and tests of Tune-SOECs with special embedded reference electrodes. Unique solutions for long-term, high performance CO2 electrolysis will be developed and implemented. In Phase II, a prototype O2-CO cogeneration system using the Tune-SOEC technology will be developed. A proof-of-concept system will be demonstrated, cogenerating O2-CO directly from a CO2 source at temperatures ranging from 750ºC to 850ºC; showing the capability of using ISRU to generate 1 kg oxygen per day (enough to support 1 human).

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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