Polaris Project: Enabling Full Scale Laser Procressed Condensing Heat Exchanger (LP-CHX) Manufacturing (LP-CHX)

Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 4)

Description

Enabling Capabilities special project series: Polaris Project, small flight experiments or risk reduction projects to fulfill high-priority capabilities gaps.

Project Description & Objectives

Development of a novel electroplating process to reduce LP-CHX manufacturing complexities, ultimately decreasing manufacturing time and cost by 18 months and >$1M
Deliverables of this project will be 1-3 full-scaled electroplated packets, microbial test, and a detailed LP-CHX manufacturing plan

Why this Project is Important & Tier 1

Gap Addressed

Current CHX technology relies on a coating which prematurely loses its hydrophilicity leading to water carryover and ultimately premature CHX refurbishment
Tier 1 Gap 06-50: Robust CHX’s enabling future crewed missions

Technology Infusion & Innovation Approach

The LP-CHX technology is highly favored by Habitation Systems, AES, and ECLSS SCLT and vetted in a May ‘20 CHX down-select against two other CHX technologies. Potential infusion is ultimately on an ISS technology demonstration or integrated ECLSS Pallet Demo at MSFC

Benefits

Major Milestones

•Kickoff: Jan ‘21

•Electroplating Complete: May ‘22

•Laser Processing Complete: Aug ‘22

•Full-scale Modeling Complete: Sept ‘22

•Microbial Growth Study Complete: Dec ‘22

•Closeout: Jan ‘23

Details

Technology area	Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and Habitation Systems > Atmosphere Revitalization
Program	Mars Campaign Office (MCO)
Lead organization	Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date	2021-01-01
End date	2023-01-31

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Cody W Farinacci — cody.w.farinacci@nasa.gov
Tyler R Hatch — tyler.r.hatch@nasa.gov
Ezra O Mcnichols — ezra.o.mcnichols@nasa.gov
Kyle W Monaghan — kyle.w.monaghan@nasa.gov
Scott W Hansen — scott.w.hansen@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.