Bio-Inspired Power Sources for Small Satellites from Soft Materials
Abstract
Electric-fish-inspired hydrogel power systems use ion gradients to drive ions across selective membranes and thereby produce high voltages. These systems are safe, biocompatible, transparent, lightweight, and particularly promising for applications where heat release during charging and discharging is not desired (e.g., low-earth orbit satellites). To advance this technology toward technological exploitation, especially for satellite applications, it is critical to improve their power density (greater than 1.8 W m-2, the current state of the art), impart self-recharging processes for continuous operation, optimize their chemical properties to increase robustness and stability in different environments, and introduce stimuliresponsive and adaptive functions into their structure for on-demand delivery and shape programmability. To address these needs, we propose a research program that specifically focuses on the following objectives- 1) Reduce internal resistance and maximize power output by developing scalable fabrication methods as well as optimizing the hydrogel design, chemistry, and physical properties of the hydrogel layers; 2) develop strategies for self-recharging and continuous operation; 3) optimize the hydrogels’ physical properties and processability to increase robustness and stability in different environments and design water-free, soft polymers to replace the hydrogel layers for applications in extreme conditions; and 4) impart stimuli-responsive and adaptive behaviors in both the hydrogel- and the polymer-based systems for on-demand delivery, self-healing, and shape programmability. The proposed power sources will entirely consist of soft materials (hydrogels and water-free polymers) with chemical and physical properties that are optimized to withstand extreme conditions with the electrical performance, specifically, suitable for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions. The proposed power sources will generate electrical power using the charge separation principle used by electric fish, and harvest energy from their environment to recharge. These systems will be multifunctional and stimuli-responsive, capable of producing power on demand and reconfiguring their shape in response to stimulus.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310250
Entities
People
- Michael Mayer
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Fribourg