← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
WATER WALLS (WW) takes an approach to providing a life support system, Forward Osmosis (FO), that is biologically and chemically passive, using mechanical systems only for plumbing to pump fluids such as gray water from the source to the point of processing. Each cell of the WW system consists of a polyethylene bag or tank with one or more FO membranes to provide the chemical processing of waste. WATER WALLS (WW) takes an approach to providing a life support system that is biologically and chemically passive, using mechanical systems only for plumbing to pump fluids such as gray water from the source to the point of processing. The core processing technology of Water Walls is FORWARD OSMOSIS (FO). Each cell of the WW system consists of a polyethylene bag or tank with one or more FO membranes to provide the chemical processing of waste. WW provides four principal functions of processing cells in four different types plus the common function of radiation shielding: 1. Gray water processing for urine and wash water, 2. Black water processing for solid waste, 3. Air processing for CO2 removal and O2 revitalization, 4. Food growth using green algae, and 5. Radiation protection to the crew habitat (all cells).
The Water Wall concept proposes a system for structural elements that provide, thermal, radiation, water, solids and air treatment functions which are placed at the periphery of inflatable or rigid habitats. It also provides novel and potentially game changing mass reduction and reuse options for radiation protection. The approach would allow water recycling, air treatment, thermal control, and solids residuals treatment and recycling to be removed from the usable habitat volume, and placed in the walls by way of a radiation shielding water wall. It would also provide a mechanism to recover and reuse water treatment (solids) residuals to strengthen the habitat shell and a method of deriving radiation shielding from wastes generated on orbit.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.