Reusable Feedstock Materials Using Polymer-Coated Microparticles for In-Space Manufacturing

Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

Develop and demonstrate a novel reversible material system that constitutes a reusable feedstock for in-space AM.

Benefits

The proposed feedstock material represents a fundamentally different, innovative approach using polymer-coated microparticles that can be bonded and debonded via reversible chemistry. This material system is anticipated to enable multiple reuse cycles and would be well suited for various types of articles needed to operate at low to moderate temperatures.

Details

Technology area	Exploration Destination Systems > Mission Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Supportability > Microgravity Construction and Assembly
Program	Center Innovation Fund: ARC CIF (ARC CIF)
Lead organization	Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Start date	2021-10-01
End date	2022-09-30

Project contacts

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

Lauren J Abbott — lauren.j.abbott@nasa.gov
William C Tucker — william.c.tucker@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.