Hybrid Microwave Sintering of Lunar Regolith with 2.45GHz and 18-28GHz

This novel technology will expand human knowledge and enable hybrid microwave sintering of lunar regolith. The technology combines a standard 2450MHz frequency with a high frequency between 18-28GHz to be chosen by modeling. This combination would eliminate the need for susceptors and allow for direct control of the heating of regolith from room or cryogenic temperatures, which is not currently possible with susceptors or non-hybrid microwave heating. This project plans to use dielectric data already collected on lunar simulants at 2.45GHz as well as data that will be collected at the higher frequency range. This project will utilize that dielectric in an existing multiphysics model developed with Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing. This model will aid in the selection of the high frequency to be used as the assistive heat source replacing microwave susceptors for hybrid heating. It will also be used to determine the power time profile and help prevent overheating, which will lead to microporosity in sintered samples. An existing 2.45GHz autowave microwave system would then be modified and a high frequency microwave generator would be added. This would allow for testing of hybrid microwave heating and sintering in Argon. Mechanical properties, porosity, and SEM data would then be gathered on the sintered samples for analysis.

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.