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Creation of Titanium-Based Nanofoams in Reduced Gravity for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Production

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

The objective of this research includes creating and examining titanium oxide (first two campaigns) and titanium (third campaign) freeze-cast materials (which are not nanoporous, but rather exhibit directionally aligned macropores) in the microgravity environment provided by parabolic flight. Work continued under T0149.

Article (October 2017): A cheaper way to stock up in space
Article (July 2017): Freeze-Casting Materials in Space: Meeting The Challenges of Vacuum and Microgravity
Paper (February 2017): Directional solidification of aqueous TiO2 suspensions under reduced gravity
Article (July 2016): Northwestern Experiment to Orbit Earth
Article (November 2015): Science In The Sky
Article (May 2015): Team to Fly on NASA’s Zero-Gravity Aircraft for Second Time

More updates at www.spaceice.space.

Benefits

No information available.

Details

Technology areaAerospace Power and Energy Storage > Power Generation and Energy Conversion > Photovoltaic Electrical Power
ProgramFlight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organizationNorthwestern University, Evanston, IL
Start date2014-02-27
End date2015-09-04

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How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.

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