In Situ Oxygen Generation from CO2 under Benign Conditions, Year 1

Two key technical challenges will be addressed: Construction of binuclear-CO2 complexes with CO2-CO2 spatially close enough to each other and activation of binuclear-CO2 complexes to release oxygen by electrochemistry (oxidation or reduction). Our goal is to pursue a molecular-based catalyst to attach and activate multiple CO2 molecules to release O2 after the application of external energy. The CO2 conversion to O2 technology would provide an effective approach to recycle CO2 from the terrestrial atmosphere and offer great promise for climate control. In addition, binuclear complex systems could convert CO2 to hydrocarbons with two or more carbon atoms and open a route for the production of fuels from the vast CO2 supply. This technology would change the future energy landscape and mark the beginning of a green energy age.

Generating O2 from CO2 under benign conditions could provide next generation technology for in situ resource utilization in potential manned missions on Mars, ISS, and other planetary environments. The system in this work could potentially be leveraged to produce fuels, fertilizers, or other species for ISRU applications. The CO2 conversion to O2 technology could provide an effective approach to recycle CO2 from the terrestrial atmosphere and offers great promise for climate control. The system shows promise and is currently at TRL 2.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.