Peroxide-Producing Microbial Fuel Cells for Space Life Support Systems Applications

The proposed project seeks to develop microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as an important technology for space life support systems (LSS) applications. NASA has had interest in MFCs for several years, as a potential technology to treat human waste during space missions, while generating energy and allowing water recovery. We propose to develop MFCs for space LSS applications with a major modification that results in production of hydrogen peroxide instead of, or in addition to, electrical power. The key advantage is that peroxide, an important chemical in relation to water and wastewater treartment and/or cleaning is produced. The proposed project, by focusing on LSS, addresses one of the key areas of focus of the Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate of NASA. One of the main goals of LSS for space missions is the recovery of water from wastewater. Another important goal of LSS is the provision of a safe habitat for crew; here one of the most important challenges is to ensure that surfaces inside space vehicles are clean, and especially devoid of biofilms of potentially infectious microorganisms. Many approaches and technologies are currently being developed, and some are also being tested at the International Space Station to achieve both of these goals, and we propose that MFCs could potentially be an important technology that could address both needs. The overall objective of the proposed project is to develop and demonstrate peroxide-producing MFCs for space LSS applications. To achieve this objective, several important challenges need to be overcome, and research questions need to be answered. Each of these challenges and questions form the basis for five total work packages for the proposed project. Each work package includes one or two key research tasks that the proposed research seeks to address. These research tasks include determination of the most feasible human waste feed for MFCs in terms of performance and resilience of microbial communities that establish in the anode chamber, development of new cathode architectures and configurations that allow for high peroxide production efficiencies through improved product transport out of the catalyst layer, testing of MFC prototypes at both Clemson University and the NASA Ames Research Center as well as development of engineering designs for possible testing at the ISS, followed by evaluating the best use of peroxide with the context of LSS applications. The project will conclude with a thorough economic and energy assessment of peroxide-producing MFCs against current state-of-the-art technologies for LSS applications include wastewater treatment and cleaning. The proposed project also addresses several activities highlighted in South Carolina’s Vision 2025 for advancing capacity and expertise in science and technology. Beyond NASA’s needs, the proposed technology addresses important questions at the nexus of food, water and energy, an area that has been getting increasing attention in recent years. The proposed project will include collaborations with two start-up companies based in South Carolina that focus on certain aspects of this nexus; the project allows building research capacity that is of relevance to industry in the state. The proposed project will also be a collaboration between investigators at three institutions of higher education within South Carolina, allowing for the training of four Ph.D. students, and several undergraduate students, thus contributing to the development of technology workforce within the food-energy-water nexus area. The proposed project will also involve high school students and teachers allowing to provide science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education awareness through hands-on lab experience.

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.

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.