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An In-Situ Binder for Additive Construction on the Moon

Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)

Description

The approach will identify ionic liquids and experiments to produce suitable materials from lunar simulants in year 1 based on the pumpability, printability and buildability, and in year 2, test with the ACME-2 system.

Benefits

This work helps to enable future lunar construction applications which would utilize in situ resources. The goal is to create a binder that can be used with lunar regolith to produce a material suitable for additive construction.

Details

Technology areaExploration Destination Systems > In Situ Resource Use > Resource Processing for Production of Manufacturing, Construction, and Energy Storage Feedstock Materials
ProgramCenter Innovation Fund: MSFC CIF (MSFC CIF)
Lead organizationMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Start date2018-10-01
End date2019-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

How to get involved

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.

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