Extremely power-dense solar for the extremes of space

Arinna, Inc. proposes the development of extremely power-dense transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) solar cells to meet NASA’s increasing demand for advanced photovoltaic technologies capable of withstanding extreme space environments. These next-generation solar cells offer exceptional power-per-mass, high radiation resistance, flexibility, and self-healing properties, ensuring sustained performance for deep-space missions, small satellites, and lunar exploration. This Phase I effort aims to rigorously evaluate TMD solar cells under critical space-related stressors, including ultraviolet radiation, atomic oxygen exposure, and thermal cycling. In collaboration with D2Solar, we will conduct environmental testing to validate performance and durability. SpaceWorks Enterprises will assist in optimizing the thermal design, structural integration, and power management of TMD solar arrays for a range of spacecraft configurations. Key deliverables include proof-of-concept validation, performance benchmarks, and recommendations for large-scale system integration, paving the way for further technology maturation in Phase II. Beyond NASA applications, TMD solar cells have significant commercialization potential in commercial satellite operations, defense applications, and terrestrial markets, including IoT, automotive, and building-integrated photovoltaics. Their lightweight, flexible, and durable design enables extended mission lifetimes, reduced launch costs, and enhanced spacecraft efficiency, while their scalability positions them as a disruptive solution in the broader solar energy sector. By overcoming the limitations of traditional photovoltaic materials, Arinna’s TMD solar technology represents a transformative advancement in next-generation power solutions, ensuring more resilient, efficient, and adaptable solar energy systems for both space and terrestrial applications.

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) solar cells, characterized by outstanding power-density, mechanical flexibility, and radiation-hardness, directly support NASA’s critical exploration objectives. NASA continually prioritizes spacecraft performance, reliability, and sustainability, requiring advanced photovoltaic technologies for ambitious missions. The superior power-density of TMD solar cells significantly reduces spacecraft mass and volume, freeing valuable space for scientific payloads and life-support systems. This advantage is essential for NASA’s Artemis lunar program and planned human missions to Mars, where maximizing energy generation while minimizing mass enables longer and more robust exploration activities. Mechanical flexibility further positions TMD solar cells to align closely with NASA’s modular and deployable spacecraft architectures. Flexible photovoltaic arrays seamlessly integrate into innovative designs such as inflatable habitats, deployable solar arrays, and lightweight planetary rovers. This adaptability streamlines packaging, deployment, and operational procedures on lunar and Martian surfaces, facilitating mission flexibility and reliability. Additionally, TMD solar cells exhibit intrinsic radiation-hardness, uniquely suited to the harsh radiation environments encountered during deep-space travel. Unlike traditional solar cells, which degrade significantly under prolonged radiation exposure, TMD photovoltaics maintain stable performance without requiring extensive protective shielding. This radiation resilience enhances spacecraft lifespan, reduces maintenance burdens, and increases overall mission reliability and safety. In summary, TMD solar cells uniquely advance NASA’s strategic exploration goals through their combination of high power-density, mechanical flexibility, and radiation resistance, enabling ambitious, sustainable human and robotic exploration across the solar system. Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) solar cells offer substantial commercial opportunities beyond aerospace, driven by their exceptional power-density, flexibility, and durability. These attributes enable transformative applications across consumer electronics, automotive, wearable technologies, and renewable energy infrastructure. In consumer electronics, TMD photovoltaics provide compact, flexible, and efficient energy solutions, ideal for smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Their flexibility allows integration into foldable electronics and emerging Internet-of-Things (IoT) products, extending device battery life and improving portability. The automotive sector presents another significant commercialization avenue. TMD solar cells' lightweight and flexible form factor make them suitable for integration into electric vehicles (EVs) on roofs, windows, and body panels. This onboard energy harvesting capability reduces dependence on external charging infrastructure, increases vehicle efficiency, and supports industry-wide sustainability targets. Wearable technology and healthcare markets also represent strong opportunities. Flexible TMD solar cells can integrate seamlessly into clothing, fitness trackers, medical sensors, and implantable devices. This continuous energy harvesting reduces battery replacements, enhancing convenience, reliability, and comfort for users. Finally, infrastructure applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) showcase additional market potential. TMD cells embedded into building materials, facades, or windows enable enhanced renewable energy generation, supporting the growth of sustainable and energy-efficient construction practices. In summary, TMD solar cells present attractive commercialization opportunities across diverse industries, enabling innovation in consumer electronics, automotive, wearable devices, and renewable infrastructure.

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.