Printable, functional components with actuatable function and sensing, for CO2 uptake in reduced gravity environments
File(s)
Author(s)
Thompson, Jamie
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Space research continues to progress allowing us to envision activities in an off-world context. Such activities include for instance the additive manufacturing of products using in- situ resources. Additive manufacturing in this context would need to be adapted to a micro- or zero-gravity environment. This change in environment is accompanied by a change in materials properties and therefore it poses an interesting research opportunity to explore the effect of micro-gravity on the printing of objects.
In this thesis, I explored a part of this topic and used state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies to prototype printable functions into devices under both terrestrial and micro gravities. Specifically, I focused on the manufacturing of a particular unit of the Environmental Control and Life Support System, namely the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). I developed a zeolite-based ink with embedded a thermally conductive component to produce, upon printing, a soldi CO2 sorbent which could be heated via application of a voltage to trigger desorption of CO2. Printing experimental campaigns were carried out initially in a terrestrial environment and subsequently in a micro-gravity environment during a parabolic flight simulating Martian, Lunar and zero gravities. The main findings of the work can be summarized as follows:
● A multi-function, conductive-carbon ink was developed that was capable of both self- heating under electrical bias, as well as intrinsic uptake of CO2 through its sorbent properties.
● A multi-material deposition approach was implemented to enable the printing of embedded, conductive/sorbent composites, thermal actuators, and sensors, within bulk sorbent devices.
● The implementing of this printing technology was demonstrated in reduced gravitational environments.
2
● The integration of digital data acquisition systems through a basic computer vision was also validated.
Overall, this work provides the initial stages of validating an approach of manufacturing life- support systems on the lunar surface.
In this thesis, I explored a part of this topic and used state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies to prototype printable functions into devices under both terrestrial and micro gravities. Specifically, I focused on the manufacturing of a particular unit of the Environmental Control and Life Support System, namely the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). I developed a zeolite-based ink with embedded a thermally conductive component to produce, upon printing, a soldi CO2 sorbent which could be heated via application of a voltage to trigger desorption of CO2. Printing experimental campaigns were carried out initially in a terrestrial environment and subsequently in a micro-gravity environment during a parabolic flight simulating Martian, Lunar and zero gravities. The main findings of the work can be summarized as follows:
● A multi-function, conductive-carbon ink was developed that was capable of both self- heating under electrical bias, as well as intrinsic uptake of CO2 through its sorbent properties.
● A multi-material deposition approach was implemented to enable the printing of embedded, conductive/sorbent composites, thermal actuators, and sensors, within bulk sorbent devices.
● The implementing of this printing technology was demonstrated in reduced gravitational environments.
2
● The integration of digital data acquisition systems through a basic computer vision was also validated.
Overall, this work provides the initial stages of validating an approach of manufacturing life- support systems on the lunar surface.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022-11
Date Awarded
2024-03
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Petit, Camille
Sponsor
NASA
Xerox PARC
University of Colorado Boulder
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant Number
EP/S018204/2/1
Publisher Department
Materials
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)