Radiation Shielding and Hydrogen Storage with Multifunctional Carbon, Phase I

This project addresses two vital problems for long-term space travel activities: radiation shielding and hydrogen storage for power and propulsion. While both problems have been studied for many years, there is currently no satisfactory technology for providing adequate non-parasitic shielding. Even in low-Earth orbit, astronauts must be closely monitored for radiation exposure, and some missions simply cannot be performed due to the current inability to shield astronauts (e.g. Mars or surface Lunar bases). The overall objective of the proposed project is to construct, test, and deliver a prototype for hydrogen storage and radiation shielding. The Phase I objectives are to validate/verify the radiation shielding capability of these systems and to operate it in a relevant environment, i.e. while being bombarded by ionizing radiation at a nuclear accelerator. These objectives will be accomplished in four tasks: (1) prototype preparation and characterization; (2) empirical study of radiation shielding at BNL Accelerator Facilities; (3) complementary computational study to broaden shielding characterization and to validate shielding code performance with respect to this nonparasitic shielding concept and (4) process and product assessment. The successful operation of the prototype would raise the TRL from 4 to 5 or 6 (system operated in a relevant environment).

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.