Advanced Alkaline Reversible Cell (AARC-ACO)

pH Matter (pHM) is developing a highly integrated and novel “unitized” reversible fuel cell (URFC) system that enables reliable, long-duration energy storage and can generate hydrogen and oxygen from locally sourced water. A single stack of unitized cells electrolyzes water and operates as a fuel cell to generate power from stored hydrogen and oxygen. This unique cell design is resistant to water contaminants.
pHM is partnered with NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and Johnson Space Center (JSC) to define lunar water contaminant compositions and cell stack specifications for producing hydrogen and oxygen for both energy storage and propellant applications. The team has conducted a preliminary trade study evaluating the mass/energy benefits of using thistechnology, and is testing a prototype stack to advance the Technology Readiness (TRL) from 3 to 4 for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) applications.

This project will develop an electrolysis cell technology that can convert In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) water generated on the lunar surface into hydrogen and oxygen. The gases will be used for energy storage and propellants, and the oxygen will be used for life support. Partners on the project will include pH Matter, LLC (industry lead), NASA GRC, and NASA JSC. NASA JSC will determine expected ISRU water compositions on the lunar surface. NASA GRC and pH Matter will conduct trade study on water processing options to achieve various purity levels. pH Matter will then test its electrolysis cell technology for operation with the various contaminants. Finally, pH Matter will deliver a cell stack to GRC to confirm performance with simulated ISRU water. The project will enable simpler systems for lunar energy storage and utilization of materials on the lunar surface.

The “unitized” reversible fuel cell (URFC) technology being developed could potentially be used in three different NASA applications:(1) Primary power - Rather than having dedicated tanks with additional structure, instrumentation, valving, and ground support requirements, a fuel cell system could utilize the waste boil-off hydrogen and minimal quantities of oxygen to generate the required electrical power to support the vehicle from launch to the lunar surface.(2) Energy storage - Reversible fuel cell systems can store significantly more energy than batteries for long durations. At a sufficient scale, the reactant gases and tankage comprise the largest mass in fuel cell energy storage systems. If reactants are sourced locally, the energy density of the dry URFC exceeds 1,000 W-hr/kg (based on launch mass).(3) In Situ Resource Utlization (ISRU) manufacturing of propellants and oxygen for life support - Currently implemented Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology requires high-purity de-ionized water. ISRU water is expected to have significant metal ion contamination, and de-ionization requires both significant energy and mass. Demonstrating NASA-relevant contaminant operation with this alternative cell approach is the goal of this project.

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.

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