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

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2012 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
105118 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
X1.02 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Materials & Systems Research, Inc.
5395 West 700 South  Salt Lake City , UT -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: Development of a Robust, Highly Efficient Oxygen-Carbon Monoxide Cogeneration System
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX12CA26C
Award Amount: $750,000.00
 

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 800¿C. In Phase I, CO2 electrolysis degradation mechanisms were 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 for cogenerating O2-CO directly from a CO2 source at pressures ranging from 1 atmosphere to 50 atmosphere at 800¿C; showing the capability of using ISRU to generate 1 kg oxygen daily (enough to support 1 human).

Principal Investigator:

Greg Tao
Principal Investigator
8015304987
gtao@msrihome.com

Business Contact:

Anthony Decheek
Business Official
8015304987
adecheek@msrihome.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Materials and Systems Research, Inc.
5395 West 700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104-4403

EIN/Tax ID: 870479591
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: Yes
HUBZone-Owned: No