High-Pressure Electrochemical Lift Pump

The lunar environment presents significant challenges for energy storage due to extreme temperature fluctuations and prolonged night cycles. Given that RFCs are being considered for use in the harsh lunar environment, several design challenges must be overcome. The system must be capable of handling extreme temperature variations, as well as providing high specific energy storage (at least 320Wh/kg), with enhanced reliability/lifetime. These performance metrics can be combined to evaluate an RFC’s round-trip efficiency (RTE), which may be the most relevant form of comparison. During EZ operation, the hydrogen and oxygen are stored in pressurized tanks, with storage capacity increasing proportionally to pressure. Since reactant storage largely impact the overall mass and volume of an RFC system, high-pressure storage is preferred to maximize specific energy and energy density. This can be achieved in two ways: compressing the product gas after electrolysis or compressing the feed water and operating the EZ at high pressure. Lynntech’s focus on compressing water simplifies the system by requiring only one pump, whereas gas compression would necessitate separate pumps for hydrogen and oxygen. Therefore, Lynntech’s High-pressure Electrochemical Lift Pump (HELP) is a critical component for lunar RFC systems, as it ensures a continuous water feed to the EZ while providing the necessary pressure for efficient high-pressure gas storage, ultimately enhancing round-trip efficiency. Additionally, Lynntech should be able to meet the 10,000hour operational life and thermal vacuum environment requirements as it’s the same fundamental electrochemical technology as the Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer stack.

RFCs (Regenerative Fuel Cells) present unique advantages through their potential integration with NASA’s in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems. As these fuel cells rely on the same essential feedstocks—water and oxygen—that are utilized by life support and propulsion systems onboard, they offer the possibility of streamlined resource management. ISRU integration can enable astronauts to extract water from local regolith or ice deposits on the Moon and Mars, which can be split into hydrogen and oxygen for energy production, effectively reducing the mission’s dependence on Earth-based resupply. This symbiosis enhances overall mission resilience, enabling longer exploration durations with minimal logistical support. To successfully deploy RFC-based energy storage systems in extreme environments, NASA demands high-performance deionized water circulation systems that can function reliably for thousands of operational hours. These systems must withstand fluctuating thermal loads, microgravity conditions, and radiation exposure while ensuring minimal maintenance requirements. Lynntech’s advanced electrochemical pump technology is specifically designed to meet these stringent criteria, providing a robust, rugged solution capable of extended operation in hostile extraterrestrial conditions. The electrochemical pump will enable effective water circulation within RFCs, maintaining optimal electrolyte flow rates and thermal control while minimizing parasitic power losses. By improving energy conversion efficiency and operational reliability, Lynntech’s innovation will enhance NASA’s capacity to deploy regenerative fuel cell systems on future lunar and Martian missions. Commercially, RFC systems stand to benefit the most from Lynntech’s electrochemical pump; the global fuel cell market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29.54%, reaching $126.23 billion by 2033. This growth will drive the need for electrochemical pumps as regenerative fuel cells become more prevalent. Periphery industries that require air-independent operation will drive the demand RFCs, which in turn will drive the demand for electrochemical pumps. The commercial space payload market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8.3% from 2021 to 2030, reaching $17.6 billion. The high-altitude platforms market, which includes pseudo-satellites such as high-altitude balloons and perpetually flying aircraft, is expected to grow from $3.7 billion in 2023 to $6.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.1%. Undersea operations also require air-independent power systems that will drive the demand for electrochemical pumps. Additionally, the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) market in oil and gas applications is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.65% reaching $3.72 billion by 2030. Lynntech’s electrochemical pump has other uses outside of RFCs. Industries that require extreme pump precision and efficiency such as the medical, energy, and aerospace fields all stand to benefit. While regenerative fuel cells (RFCs) are the most obvious systems to benefit from Lynntech’s electrochemical pump, the technology's precision and efficiency are equally critical in other energy applications. For instance, in nuclear reactor coolant pumps, maintaining stable operating temperatures and preventing overheating are essential for both safety and optimal performance. The nuclear reactor coolant pump market is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 7.7% from 2023 to 2030. Similarly, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes rely on accurate metering to inject chemicals, water, or gas at precise proportions.

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.

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