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Portable Cathode-Air-Vapor-Feed Electrochemical Medical Oxygen Concentrator

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX10CA96C
Agency Tracking Number: 084876
Amount: $600,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X10.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-02-05
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-02-04
Small Business Information
7610 Eastmark Drive
College Station, TX 77840-4023
United States
DUNS: 184758308
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Alan Cisar
 Principal Investigator
 (979) 693-0017
 alan.cisar@lynntech.com
Business Contact
 Cynthia Barnett
Title: Business Official
Phone: (979) 693-0017
Email: cindy.barnett@lynntech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Future space exploration missions present significant new challenges to crew health care capabilities, particularly in the efficient utilization of on-board oxygen resources. The International Space Station and future exploration vehicles require a light weight, compact, portable oxygen concentrator technology (OCT) that can provide medical grade oxygen from the ambient cabin air. Current OCTs are heavy, bulky, have a narrow operating temperature range (ambient to 40 degree Celsius), and require 15 to 30 minutes start-up time to reach their full operating capacity. Lynntech's proposed electrochemical OCT solves these issues by operating the OCT with a cathode-air vapor feed, unlike conventional electrochemical OCTs which require a liquid water feed. This is possible due to the use of in-house developed proprietary nanocomposite proton exchange membrane and catalyst technologies. Cathode-air vapor feed operation eliminates the need for a bulky on-board water supply, significantly reduces the complexity of the balance-of-plant, and greatly increases the system efficiency. OCT will be a quarter the size and weight of conventional OCTs, be capable of instant start-up, and have a wide operating temperature range. Lynntech will develop a Phase II prototype that is capable of delivering 4 SLPM of 60% oxygen and deliver it to NASA for further testing.

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

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