← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 6)
Exploration Capabilities (EC) Life Support Systems project Trace Contaminant and Particulate Control task: Work in the area of trace contamination and particulate control is focused on characterizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) adsorbent media for trace contaminant control applications, evaluating carbon monoxide catalyst performance, developing and characterizing selective catalytic ammonia reduction catalysts, and evaluating technical maturity of photo-catalytic oxidation (PCO) processes for trace contaminant control.
Particles float in the spacecraft environment and can be inhaled by the astronauts. Understanding the types of particles and the sizes provides the information needed to develop filtration designs and identify sources of particles that may influence the design of the source generating those particles. The spacecraft atmosphere contains trace contaminants that filter out with adsorbent materials. Controlling particulates and trace contaminants provides clean air for the astronauts to breath.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.