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This project seeks to develop a transformative energy system -- the plasmon-enhanced radioisotope Thermophotovoltaic (PRTPV)generator -- that significantly surpasses the performance of current radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) in both specific power and efficiency. Designed to achieve a specific power of 17 W/kg and a thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency greater than40%, the PRTPV offers a sevenfold improvement in efficiency and nearly an order-of-magnitude increase in specific power compared to state-of-the-art RTGs. The system combines two novel innovations: the use of a high-refractive-index, low infrared loss, low thermal-conductivity, and high-melting point material (e.g., Al2O3) to replace the traditional vacuum gap between the heat source and photovoltaic (PV) cell, enhancing thermal radiation power density proportional to the square of the refractive index, and the integration of a multilayered photonic crystal plasmon coupler to spectrally tune the thermal radiation by exciting surface plasmons at the coupler-PV cell interface matching with the PV cell's bandgap, further improving conversion efficiency.
Together, these advances overcome the low power density that limits current TPV systems. The resulting technology is compact, efficient, and scalable, opening the door to new classes of NASA missions, including long-duration surface operations in permanently shadowed lunar regions and interstellar missions where solar power is impractical. The proposed work directly supports NASA's long-term goals in space exploration and energy innovation.
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.