Awards & Nominations
Titanium has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Global Nominee
Project Aphrodite | Application of Americium 241 for RTGs and atmospheric entry energy harnessing
High-Level Project Summary
Harnessing the energy from the atmospheric entry stage into Venus through the means of a thermoelectric generator supplying initial mission power working alongside an Americium -241 Radioisotopic thermoelectric generator which is less effective than commonly used Plutonium -238 yet it is far less expensive and it can reuse nuclear energy waste products while providing energy for longer periods of time. This could help future missions to Venus by reducing energetic funds that can be assorted to other areas such as the capsule / rover protection due to the hostile nature of the planet.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
Due to the thermal difference between the Venus' surface and the heat generated from the isotope's decay, two different pieces of metal will generate an electric potential between them, thus making current flow through the system. This helps us harness one of Venus' most difficult conditions to tackle when designing a system that allows us to conduct further studies. We proposed a 21.08 kg energy cell based on previous models that does not use the conventional Pu-238 because of its increasing cost and its scarcity, instead utilizing Am-241 as its primary fuel source.
We also intend on using the massive amount of CO2 in the atmosphere as a cooling system rather than the well known cooling fins that have been used in other rovers, to avoid any incident related to the compression effects that the atmospheric pressure exerts o the fins. However, this idea must be further developed. Besides that, we suggest that the battery must be kept in a pressure vessel similar to that of submarine to prevent any damage to our cell.
Space Agency Data
We mostly used publicly available data from NASA and the different articles published by different internal branches and sub-contracted companies, the data obtained from these documents was mostly used as a basis for our project as we mostly tried to use commonly used technology with a different implementation or idea.
Our Sources/References:
References
1. Landis, G. A., & Harrison, R. (2010). Batteries for Venus Surface Operation. Journal
of Propulsion and Power, 26(4), 649–654. DOI:10.2514/1.41886
2. Hunten, D. M., Colin, L., Donahue, T. M., and Moroz, V. I., eds., Venus, Univ. of
Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ, 1983.
3. Krishnamoorthy, A. Komjathy, J. A. Cutts, P. Lognonné, R. F. Garcia, M. P. Panning,
P. K. Byrne, R. S. Matoza, A. D. Jolly, J. B. Snively, S. Lebonnois, and D. C.
Bowman (2020). Seismology on Venus with infrasound observations from balloon
and orbit. Bulletin of the AAS, 53(4). DOI: 10.3847/25c2cfeb.9f0f1917
4. Parker, T. & Gonzales, E. (2015). Alternative fuel sources for radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Texas A&M University.
5. NASA Mars Exploration. (2022). Power. Source: https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/spacecraft/rover/power/
6. NASA Solar System Exploration. (2018). Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) | Cassini.
7. TimesMojo. (2022). How Does A Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Work? Source:
8. Spiegato. (2022). Generador termoeléctrico de radioisótopos. Source:
9. Blanke, B.C., Briden, J.H., Jordan K.C. & Murphy, E.L. (1962). Nuclear Battery-Thermocouple Type Summary Report. U.S. Government Contract No. AT-33: -OEN-53.
10. Pradeep B., Paul K., Kevin A. & Keith N. CO2 Insulation for Thermal Control of the Mars Science Laboratory. Source: https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/42173/11-2424.pdf?sequence=1#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20low%20thermal,Mars%20atmosphere%2C%20ground%20and%20sky.
11. Alan’s Factory Outlet. (2003). How Much Do Elements Cost? Source: https://alansfactoryoutlet.com/how-much-do-elements-cost-the-price-of-75-elements-per-kilogram/
12. Tinsley, T.P., Sarsfield M. J., Cordingley, L. & Stephenson, K. (2012). Development of an Am2O3 fuelled encapsulated pellet for use in RTGs or RHUs. National Nuclear Laboratory, Seascale, Cumbria. Source: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nets2012/pdf/3028.pdf
13. Keys, A., Adams, J., Frazier, D., Patrick, M & Watson, M. (2007). Exploration Technology Development Program’s Radiation Hardened Electronics for Space Environments (RHESE). Military and Aerospace FPGA and Applications (MAFA).
14. Salazar, D. & Landis, G. & Colozza, A. (2014). Non-Cooled Power System for Venus Lander. DOI: 10.2514/6.2014-3459.
Hackathon Journey
It was a great experience for us as students since we perfectioned some skills such as working under pressure, team work, and paper writing. We were inspired to join this challenge because we all like space and have a great interest in space medicine, but we are keen on learning about new technologies that are currently developing. As Biomedical Engineering students our goal was to develop creative and innovative technologies based on previously developed projects, creating an impact on the community that motivates other people to continue creating new options and technologies that help, regardless of their field, to improve the quality of life here on Earth.
To develop this project we based on previous solutions and made some tweaks, since we are sophomores in our major and we lack certain tools, knowledge, creativity and experience to solve this challenge. Besides that, we had our midterms simultaneously, which made it more difficult for us to concentrate. However, our compromise with NASA Space Apps Challenge was greater than any gruesome feelings we harbored.
All in all, we had a lot of fun making this challenge. By the way, we are extremely tired, but we hope you enjoy reading our solution. Thanks!
References
References
1. Landis, G. A., & Harrison, R. (2010). Batteries for Venus Surface Operation. Journal
of Propulsion and Power, 26(4), 649–654. DOI:10.2514/1.41886
2. Hunten, D. M., Colin, L., Donahue, T. M., and Moroz, V. I., eds., Venus, Univ. of
Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ, 1983.
3. Krishnamoorthy, A. Komjathy, J. A. Cutts, P. Lognonné, R. F. Garcia, M. P. Panning,
P. K. Byrne, R. S. Matoza, A. D. Jolly, J. B. Snively, S. Lebonnois, and D. C.
Bowman (2020). Seismology on Venus with infrasound observations from balloon
and orbit. Bulletin of the AAS, 53(4). DOI: 10.3847/25c2cfeb.9f0f1917
4. Parker, T. & Gonzales, E. (2015). Alternative fuel sources for radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Texas A&M University.
5. NASA Mars Exploration. (2022). Power. Source: https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/spacecraft/rover/power/
6. NASA Solar System Exploration. (2018). Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) | Cassini.
7. TimesMojo. (2022). How Does A Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Work? Source:
8. Spiegato. (2022). Generador termoeléctrico de radioisótopos. Source:
9. Blanke, B.C., Briden, J.H., Jordan K.C. & Murphy, E.L. (1962). Nuclear Battery-Thermocouple Type Summary Report. U.S. Government Contract No. AT-33: -OEN-53.
10. Pradeep B., Paul K., Kevin A. & Keith N. CO2 Insulation for Thermal Control of the Mars Science Laboratory. Source: https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/42173/11-2424.pdf?sequence=1#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20low%20thermal,Mars%20atmosphere%2C%20ground%20and%20sky.
11. Alan’s Factory Outlet. (2003). How Much Do Elements Cost? Source: https://alansfactoryoutlet.com/how-much-do-elements-cost-the-price-of-75-elements-per-kilogram/
12. Tinsley, T.P., Sarsfield M. J., Cordingley, L. & Stephenson, K. (2012). Development of an Am2O3 fuelled encapsulated pellet for use in RTGs or RHUs. National Nuclear Laboratory, Seascale, Cumbria. Source: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nets2012/pdf/3028.pdf
13. Keys, A., Adams, J., Frazier, D., Patrick, M & Watson, M. (2007). Exploration Technology Development Program’s Radiation Hardened Electronics for Space Environments (RHESE). Military and Aerospace FPGA and Applications (MAFA).
14. Salazar, D. & Landis, G. & Colozza, A. (2014). Non-Cooled Power System for Venus Lander. DOI: 10.2514/6.2014-3459
Tags
#powersource, #energy, #isotopes, #engineering, #venus, #biomedical, #andy, #pau, #gera, #cinthia, #lukas, #tami, #aphrodite, #astroprofe