NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The continuing development of fuel cells and electrolyzers has advanced the technology for use in a range of applications from aerospace and military to residential and vehicle systems. The technical viability of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers has… More

75042-Higher-energy-capacity electrical storage systems are needed for growing demand in portable consumer applications. New advanced energy storage systems must (1) have higher gravimetric and volumetric energy densities than state-of-the-art batteries and (2) be readily regenerated in a manner… More

An electrochemical power plant is proposed by MicroCell Technologies to provide power to terrestrial flight platforms. Our power plant is based upon a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that is coupled with a hydrogen fuel supply cartridge that will provide readily scalable power levels up to 1 kW… More

An inline method is proposed by Westford MicroCells to capture and use the hydrogen released from flameless ration heaters. Our proposed approach electrochemically reacts the hydrogen to form electricity, heat, and water such that no hydrogen is released to the environment. The electricity generated… More

An inline method is proposed by MicroCell Technologies to capture and use the hydrogen released from flameless ration heaters used in the Remote Unit Self Heating Meal (RUSHM) group ration. Our proposed approach electrochemically reacts the hydrogen to form electricity, heat, and water such that no… More

An improved electrolyzer is needed by NASA for generating propellants in low-gravity environments using water or ice as the reactant. It is desired to minimize the mass and energy requirements for the electrolyzer system to lessen launch and operational requirements during gas generation. The… More

Compact power sources are desired by the military for soldier applications that have improved energy capacities over 1000 W-hr/kg, a level that cannot be met by today's state-of-the-art batteries. Consequently, fuel cell power systems coupled with liquid fuel storage options such as methanol are… More

NASA uses a number of water electrolysis units for generating oxygen and hydrogen gas for space applications. These missions range from generating propellants to supplying oxygen to crew and habitat. Consequently, the electrolyzer systems employ a variety of designs and system approaches that can… More

A chemical hydride reactor is proposed by MicroCell Technologies, LLC to produce hydrogen gas for backup fuel cell power generators. In the Phase I program, we will develop and demonstrate our reactor design to operate with unpurified water sources to efficiently react all of the chemical hydride in… More

In this phase I program MicroCell Technologies, LLC (MCT) proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of an electrochemically modulated phase separator for in situ processing and refining in future space missions. Two-phase (liquid and gas) flow can be a vital part of many life support and or thermal… More

Currently available flight deck coating systems, utilized where fluctuating temperatures and heavy traffic/load areas are normal, have poor/negligible performance in the areas of reduced radar signature return. New coatings must be developed that maintain a high coefficient of friction and excellent… More

An electrochemical reactor is proposed by MicroCell Technologies, LLC to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide to oxygen. In support of NASA's advanced life support processes and human exploration missions, recovering oxygen from carbon dioxide is important since oxygen resupply is not a viable… More

In order for solar power to reach its full potential as a renewable energy resource improvements are needed in the photovoltaic module packaging. In particular, barrier coatings are needed to protect the solar cells from water and water vapor. These coatings must be water-vapor impermeable,… More

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project aims to develop and demonstrate a compact and portable chlor alkali generator for emergency response operations. A portable system that uses an electrochemical reactor to generate chlorine and caustic soda efficiently in a compact manner will… More

An electrochemical reactor is proposed by MicroCell Technologies, LLC to electrochemically reduce carbon dioxide to oxygen. In support of NASA's advanced life support processes and human exploration missions, recovering oxygen from carbon dioxide is important since oxygen resupply is not a viable… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will demonstrate a new sensor platform for measuring reactive surface activity in real time in a non-destructive manner. One of the common features to these coatings is a reactive element or compound. In processing these layers… More

The U.S. Air Force is interested in processing biomass to produce liquid fuels in its facilities around the world. This would help lessen the environmental impact due to expanding landfills as well as help reduce the use of petroleum oil. Processing the cellulose in this biomass into ethanol is one… More

The Air Force requires an improved corrosion detector to assess corrosion in multi-layer metallic structures on its aircraft. A compact and portable device is needed that can pinpoint corrosion in the early stages of pitting deep within these multi-layer structures. Reactive Innovations, LLC… More

NASA desires to generate and store gases including oxygen and nitrogen at sub-critical conditions as a part of its lunar and spacecraft atmospheric systems. Oxygen at pressures up to 3000 psia is particularly desired for refilling storage tanks for lunar and in-flight applications including… More

Reactive Innovations, LLC (RIL) proposes a SBIR phase I program to demonstrate a modular wastewater treatment system to supplement Littoral Combat ship (LCS) wastewater capacity for increased or mission system demands. Wastewater treatment utilizing large storage tanks currently in use on cruise… More

More than 250 drinking water systems exist for small communities in Puerto Rico that serve between 25 and 500 individuals. These water systems fall outside of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority and, thus, have insufficient water treatment systems or no water treatment systems. Water… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will develop an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) repair system for restoring the optical and electrical properties of scratched ITO-coated surfaces. These types of materials are used as electrically conducting windows which also provide protection against… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I Project will formulate, design and fabricate a thin film flexible barrier coating specifically for Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diodes (FOLEDs). These barrier coatings are needed to improve the reliability and lifetime of FOLEDs.Although the… More

Over 250 drinking water systems exist for small communities in Puerto Rico that serve 25-500 individuals. These water systems fall outside of Puerto Rico Aquaduct and Sewer Authority and, thus, have no or insufficient water treatment systems. Water sources for these communities are from ground and… More

The development of lightweight and compact thermal systems is needed to support emerging technologies such as high efficient radiators for high power heat rejection at low temperature differentials and high-density microelectronic circuits that require high rates of heat removal. Improved thermal… More

NASA desires to generate and store gases including oxygen and nitrogen at sub-critical conditions as a part of its lunar and spacecraft atmospheric systems. Oxygen at pressures up to 3000 psia is particularly desired for refilling storage tanks for lunar and in-flight applications including… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an electrochemical ozone generator to treat water for drinking and industrial processing. In the US, 85% of all public water systems serve fewer than 3,300 people. For providing these small unit drinking water systems, three… More

NASA's plans for a lunar habitation outpost call out for process technologies to separate hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide gases from regolith product gas streams. A low-pressure drop separation unit is needed to remove these sulfur compounds from regolith process streams that is compact and… More

The United States continues to rely on petroleum and natural gas as its primary sources of fuel. As a consequence, the increase in CO2 emissions over the last 100 years has had a dramatic effect on our atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Additionally, our reliance on foreign oil is of… More

Water electrolyzers based on Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology are being targeted by the DOE to generate hydrogen for transportation and stationary applications. Currently, the membrane and electrode assemblies (MEAs) in these electrolyzer stacks must be measured for quality assurance… More

NASA's plans for a lunar habitation outpost call out for process technologies to separate hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide gases from regolith product gas streams. A low-pressure drop separation unit is needed to remove these sulfur compounds from regolith process streams that is compact and… More

The military desires a multi-tank fuel inerting system to protect the craft from ballistic fire and accidental fires. Traditional systems have used either stored suppressants that are often heavy, costly, and create logistical resupply challenges or systems that produce an inert gas such as an… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a water disinfection system based on an electrochemical generator that produces ozone directly into process water. Because of its excellent disinfection and oxidation qualities, ozone is widely used for drinking water and… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The National Institutes of Health desires to have more economical methods to produce 18-labeled oxygen for use in energy expenditures studies and body composition studies. Traditionally, the oxygen isotope is produced t hrough cryogenic distillation of nitric… More

"The environmental Protection Agency is soliciting innovations for the development of small unit drinking water systems that will inactivate contaminants including pesticides, organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pathogens. In the US, 85% of all public water systems… More

The military desires a multi-tank fuel inerting system to protect the craft from ballistic fire and accidental fires. Traditional systems have used either stored suppressants that are often heavy, costly, and create logistical resupply challenges or systems that produce an inert gas such as an… More

In this Phase I SBIR, Reactive Innovations, LLC (RIL) proposes to develop a compact and lightweight electrochemical to capture carbon dioxide in the martian atmosphere from nitrogen and argon. Our approach builds on two separately developed technologies in our laboratory involving: 1) carbon dioxide… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The National Institutes of Health desires to have more economical methods to produce 18-labeled oxygen and, in particular, 18-labeled water for use in energy expenditure and body composition studies. This oxygen-18 is converted into fluorinated-18 isotopes to… More

Biogas from anaerobic digestion of biological wastes is a renewable energy resource. It has been used to provide heat, shaft power and electricity. While methane is a major component of biogas, other constituents (chiefly carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide) lower the energy content and introduce… More

Low temperature electrolytes for thermal batteries are desired to increase the power density while still maintaining safe and long-storage life capability. Reducing the operating temperature of the thermal batteries can lessen the amount of pyrotechnic material and insulation required to maintain a… More

The Navy needs an improved inspection system to detect, monitor, and characterize cracks and corrosion on titanium, steel, and aluminum components used in military systems. It is desired to have a portable device that can operate in-service preventing the component from being removed or excised from… More