Non-Lubricated Diamond-Coated Bearings Reinforced by Carbon Fibers to Work in Lunar Dust, Phase I

We propose to develop low cost diamond composite bearings utilizing our new high pressure technology for carbon fiber reinforced 3-D C/C composites and mixtures of pitch, fullerenes and nanotubes. Functionally graded bearings will be engineered to function without lubrication and to operate in Lunar dust. Tests have shown that these new materials are thermally and chemically stable, have a very high wear resistance on the diamond coated surface and can work in sand and regolith like unlubricated sliding fits. Such bearings are also extremely lightweight. Our variety of diamond coated composite would be easily scalable and cost effective to fabricate. In Phase I, we will focus on designing and prototyping precision unlubricated bearings. For Phase II and III, we will work in collaboration with leading companies that produce ceramic bearings.

Non NASA applications: The bearings that we plan to develop could be utilized for high speed applications at low temperature and high temperature ranges. They are corrosion and wear resistant and can work in aircraft engines, rock drilling and other abrasive environments. NASA applications: Potential applications of this material are bearings for Lunar regolith excavators and other planetary missions.

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.