Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization System

NASA mission planners continue to develop plans for investigating celestial bodies including Europa, Enceladus, and Mars for potential life detection. Contamination Control and Planetary Protection requirements focus on both forward and backward contamination from such bodies where NASA has shown that vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) is an effective method for sterilizing samples and surfaces. However, there are a number of pressing issues NASA mission planners have identified using VHP that include: Delivering VHP to the sterilization chamber Mitigating variability in the peroxide concentration within the sterilization chamber Evacuating VHP from the sterilization chamber once sterilization is complete Ensuring samples have been thoroughly and uniformly sterilized culminating in dry samples that can subsequently be stored for long term transport Minimizing expendable losses of oxygen, water, and VHP Minimizing energy, mass, and volume of sterilization components

For NASA applications, Contamination Control and Planetary Protection requirements focus on both forward and backward contamination from such bodies where a number of acceptable processes have been developed for sterilizing spacecraft hardware and sample return materials. Vaporized hydrogen peroxide in particular has been established as an effective sterilant for NASA applications. However, a big challenge is ensuring an effective sterilant is present and efficient for long duration space missions.

Commercial opportunities for the hydrogen peroxide generator may be directed toward medical equipment sterilization. Integrating Skyhaven’s compact vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator into a desktop sterilization unit will enable safe and effective sterilization.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.