← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Manned deep-space missions require reliable life support systems to recycle precious oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) from the cabin atmosphere. One attractive system under development is the Series Bosch (S-Bosch) reactor, encompassing both a reverse water gas shift reactor (RWGSr) and a carbon formation reactor (CFR), paired in series. This technology reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) in the presence of hydrogen (H2) into solid carbon and water, from which O2 is electrolytically generated. Unfortunately, the separation of undesired carbon monoxide (CO) from S-Bosch effluent streams remains challenging, in which the membranes developed for this separation are prone to mechanical failure.
This research aims to develop robust, CO-selective metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) tailored from the ground up for employment in a S-Bosch reactor to regenerate space-cabin air. Notably, selection of an appropriate chemisorbitive mechanism might enable direct separation of CO from effluent steams without prerequisite desiccation. Several promising and highly tunable framework types have been identified that selectively bind CO via π-backbonding interactions and high enthalpies: one framework reversibly binds CO consequent of an adsorbate-induced spin transition, while another framework forms remarkably strong yet thermally reversible π-backbonding interactions between CO and electron-rich CuI centers. Thermodynamic and kinetics selectivities are assessed under a variety of working conditions using isothermal and isobaric measurements. The long-term stability of frameworks to thermal cycling will be assessed under both humid and dry conditions before promising frameworks will be analyzed under realistic conditions in a fixed-bed reactor. Finally, myriad in situ gas-dosed spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish structure-property relations between metal-adsorbate interactions and thermodynamic and kinetic selectivities for CO under corresponding working conditions.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.