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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 4)
Reduction of graphite oxide into graphene in sizes up to 30 cm x 30 cm using scanning laser beam.
Ability to produce graphene sheets suitable for supercapacitors in AA-battery format.
Graphene has been used to prototype high performance, flexible ultracapacitors on a small scale. It shows promise in many other areas such as flexible electronics and chemical sensors. In addition, graphene-based devices are flexible, extremely thin and lightweight, and can be incorporated on astronaut garments and equipment without adding appreciable weight or bulk to the spacesuit.
Graphite oxide, which is a starter material for graphene, is readily manufactured from any form of carbon utilizing a well-established, inexpensive process. It is feasible that GO could be produced on planetary surfaces with carbon extracted from regolith or waste products.
Graphene-based devices will substantially reduce NASA payloads mass and volume, resulting in simpler designs and cost reductions.
Crew exploration missions, habitats, planetary probes, rovers and landers, orbiters, and life support systems will benefit from these revolutionary devices.
There is a clear and stated need for such flexible, lightweight and low volume devices for commercial and military applications.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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.