Thermo-Acoustic Convertor for Space Power, Phase II

In Phase Sunpower looked at Thermoacoustic Stirling Heat Engines (TASHEs). These ranged from a TASHE which was sized for the heat from a single General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS), to a larger unit sized for a Venus mission. We also looked at different types of cooler to produce both electrical power and sensor cooling for the Venus application. Computer projected performance and layout drawing were created for all the machines investigated. In Phase II we plan to fabricate, test, and develop the single-GPHS sized coaxial. TASHE designed in Phase I.

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.