NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION
FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY
PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 10.05-9248 (Chron: 000753 )
PROJECT TITLE
Zero-Venting Regenerable Lightweight Heat Absorber for EVA Suits
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Future manned space exploration missions will require life support systems that conserve resources while meeting extremely challenging requirements for light weight and small size. We propose to develop an innovative heat absorber for the thermal control system in EVA suits that is non-venting, regenerable, light weight, and compact. The system can provide 250 W of cooling for four hours with a mass about six kilograms (roughly half the weight of the current thermal control module), and will also reduce the size of the suit's radiator by increasing the heat rejection temperature. After an EVA mission, the heat absorber is regenerated thermally and prepared for the next mission using waste heat from the spacecraft or habitat. In Phase I we will prove the feasibility of the heat absorber by (1) performing proof-of-concept tests that will demonstrate the viability of the approach and provide key design data, and (2) producing a conceptual design of an EVA suit cooler that shows the potential benefits of our approach. In Phase II we will design, build, and demonstrate the operation of a complete prototype heat absorber that will be delivered to NASA for integration with a complete portable life support system.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The heat absorber technology is inexpensive and practical for a broad range of terrestrial uses. Commercial applications include portable, temporary, and "rechargeable" refrigeration for medical purposes (vaccine and organ delivery), industrial use (cooling for HAZMAT and nuclear plant workers), and recreational use. In addition, there are numerous military applications where temporary cooling is required for personnel wearing garments for protection from nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Michael G. Izenson
Creare Incorporated
P.O. Box 71
Hanover , NH 03755 - 0071
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Creare Inc.
Etna Road, P.O. Box 71
Hanover , NH 03755 - 0071