Closed-Loop PHA/Regolith Composite In-Situ Manufacturing (PRISM)

Develop a polymer matrix composite (PMC) material based on poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHA)—resins that can be biologically synthesized and recycled in space using waste materials—and Lunar or Martian Regolith for additive manufacturing

Create PMC material capable of closed-loop system of in-situ manufacturing, which is necessary for sustained Lunar or Martian presence. Produce characterization data set and demonstration parts of various PHA/regolith PMC materials. PHAs can be made in-situ using existing flight infrastructure and waste materials, whereas existing in-situ solutions use polymers that can only be synthesized terrestrially

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.