RECOP: Lightweight Regenerable CO2-to-Power Conversion System for Safer Manned Missions

Achieve a reusable and lightweight CO2-to-power conversion system for the selective removal of excess CO2 gas from air mixture in various human-rated space environmental life support systems for spacesuits, manned rovers, habitats, or spacecrafts, and directly convert into usable power. Current technology uses large amounts of CO2 sorbents (liquid amines, zeolites, and Li hydroxide) that are either non-regenerable or require complex and heavy system design and integration to ensure the effective utilization. The life support community recognizes that reliability and capability gaps exist that must be solved both for ISS and deep space exploration missions because current ECLSS technology is not suitable for long duration missions. RECOP concept is based on the established knowledge in: Rechargeable Li-gas battery systems (gas = O2/air or CO2) that utilizes the electrochemical reactions of Li with the gaseous reactants for power. Experimental evidence has suggested that a trace amount of CO2 in an air mixture (such as Earth ambient air) can be selectively consumed in advance of a much higher concentration of O2. The approach is to identify an effective, lightweight, and scalable electrochemical system for preferential trace CO2 uptake toward a RECOP prototype device.

RECOP concept is based on the established knowledge in: Rechargeable Li-gas battery systems (gas = O2/air or CO2) that utilizes the electrochemical reactions of Li with the gaseous reactants for power.; Experimental evidence has suggested that a trace amount of CO2 in an air mixture (such as Earth ambient air) can be selectively consumed in advance of a much higher concentration of O2.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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