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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Functionalization and design of materials are essential to reduce CO2 concentration in air with an ability to integrate into a life support system for NASA’s future exploration mission architectures, spacecraft designs, and habitat designs. The proposed air revitalization system takes advantage of the high capacity and selectivity of CO2 absorbing materials confirming to a tunable and mechanically stable architecture. The immediate goal is to maintain an acceptable air quality in cabin by removing the metabolically generated CO2 and the future goal is to enable conversion of separated CO2 to O2 to close the gap in the air-water chemical cycle.
This effort will develop a structured ionic liquid membrane for an integrated CO2 capture and utilization unit and drive innovations in design and synthesis of novel solvents, materials and architectures.
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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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