Solid State Thermionic Power, Year 3

The project will explore the implementation of high efficiency Solid-State Thermionic-based power systems to serve Electric Propulsion systems such as Hall, Ion, or other approaches. A Solid-State approach centered around advanced Thermionic power converters would combine the high efficiency of dynamic power conversion (e.g. Rankine, Brayton, Stirling) with the simplicity of a static converter with no moving parts. The resulting system could enable Human Mars missions of < 1 year round trip by affording a system of megawatt power, low specific mass (<10 kg/kWe), greatly reduced plant complexity, and associated savings in development cost. FY16 activities will build and test a Brassboard thermionic converter assembly.

This project provides the initial foundation and confidence for high efficiency solid-state power converters. Subsequent converter development, advanced through STMD Game Changing and/or Power Utility partnerships, will improve readiness and lifetime, leading to flight ready articles. Human vehicle system development would then integrate these converters with DOE nuclear reactor technology, NASA balance of plant (ex. radiators, PMAD), and electric propulsion (ex. Hall thrusters, Ion, etc.) to develop an ultimate NASA application of a Human Mars Megawatt-class Solar or Nuclear Electric Propulsion vehicle and mission. Terrestrial applications would be informed/infused resulting in very high efficiency (>50%) combined cycle fossil fuel plants, less complex nuclear plants, and possible energy harvesting/scavenging. A Gamechanger new-start may be desireable in FY17.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.