Self-Lubricating Hard Coatings for Extreme Environment

This program will develop low friction hard coatings for lubricating mechanical and tribological components used for exploring Mars, the Moon, asteroids, comets and other small bodies. This proposed SBIR program will build on MesoCoat's extensive prior experience in developing dense, hard friction-free coatings.

Rovers, motor and pump shaft and seals, deployable structures, latching mechanisms, etc.

Commercial aircraft engines, and run-dry industrial linkage component applications, as well as on diesel engines, turbine engines, metal cutting and forming tools and dies, mining and excavation equipment, oilfield service equipment, automotive components, and agricultural equipment market segments as well. Machine gun components, and unlubricated small, potentially disposable direct fired engines are major developing market segments where a robust, durable hard solid lubricant could be an enabling technology to eliminate fouling and soot emissions.

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.