Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Waterloo
$100,000.00
Synthesis and Fabrication of Nanothermite Fuel for Space Propulsion _x000d_
FY 2020-21
Summary
The space industry is experiencing an exponential increase in the use of small satellites. Along with reduced launch costs, compact satellites provide unique value for discovery, patrolling, and commercial missions. The development of novel small satellite propulsion technology is central to a continued growth of this industry and is being supported by significant global investments. To support this growth, this project will develop and commercialize innovative synthesis and fuel pellet fabrication technologies to facilitate a novel in-space propulsion technology based on tunable and high-power-density metastable intermolecular composites (MIC, also called nanothermite). The proposed methodology addresses four research components: (1) optimizing material synthesis of core-shell and hybrid nanothermite composites; (2) developing a standard for 3D printing process for nanothermite-based fuel pellets; (3) experimental investigation of correlations between reaction mechanisms/energy production and compositions/microstructures of both synthesized composites and packed pellets; and (4) developing a mathematical model, with appropriate accuracy, to capture the identified physics (combustion mechanism, flame propagation, thrust production, etc.) from representative 3D printed specimens. The research outcomes, through technology development and HQP training, are expected to enable manufacturing of novel propulsion systems for small satellites. This technology will enable orbital maneuvering, navigation, stabilization, stationing and pointing. This project will further help the penetration of Canadian companies in the target space market which requires original research developing high-energy-release composites, cost-effective material synthesis methods, and advanced device fabrication technologies.
_x000d_L'industrie spatiale connaît une croissance exponentielle dans le domaine des microsatellites. Grâce a une réduction massive des coûts de lancement et de développement, les microsatellites offrent un avantage indéniable pour les missions de découverte, de
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
556410-2020
Name nom
Wen, John
Department département
Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
100000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
703
Area of application group en
Transportation systems and services
Area of application group fr
Services et systèmes de transport
Area of application en
Aerospace
Area of application fr
Aérospatial
Research subject code
2110
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Combustion
Research subject fr
Combustion
Installment
inst:1 - 1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Synthesis and Fabrication of Nanothermite Fuel for Space Propulsion _x000d_
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The space industry is experiencing an exponential increase in the use of small satellites. Along with reduced launch costs, compact satellites provide unique value for discovery, patrolling, and commercial missions. The development of novel small satellite propulsion technology is central to a continued growth of this industry and is being supported by significant global investments. To support this growth, this project will develop and commercialize innovative synthesis and fuel pellet fabrication technologies to facilitate a novel in-space propulsion technology based on tunable and high-power-density metastable intermolecular composites (MIC, also called nanothermite). The proposed methodology addresses four research components: (1) optimizing material synthesis of core-shell and hybrid nanothermite composites; (2) developing a standard for 3D printing process for nanothermite-based fuel pellets; (3) experimental investigation of correlations between reaction mechanisms/energy production and compositions/microstructures of both synthesized composites and packed pellets; and (4) developing a mathematical model, with appropriate accuracy, to capture the identified physics (combustion mechanism, flame propagation, thrust production, etc.) from representative 3D printed specimens. The research outcomes, through technology development and HQP training, are expected to enable manufacturing of novel propulsion systems for small satellites. This technology will enable orbital maneuvering, navigation, stabilization, stationing and pointing. This project will further help the penetration of Canadian companies in the target space market which requires original research developing high-energy-release composites, cost-effective material synthesis methods, and advanced device fabrication technologies.
_x000d_L'industrie spatiale connaît une croissance exponentielle dans le domaine des microsatellites. Grâce a une réduction massive des coûts de lancement et de développement, les microsatellites offrent un avantage indéniable pour les missions de découverte, de
