This federal contract award, NNX15AQ79H, was granted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to Tufts University, a private research university located in Medford, Massachusetts. The contract, valued at $272,111.30, is for the development of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices to be used in static radioisotope generators for deep space missions.
The research aims to address the challenge of growing III-V semiconducting compounds containing bismuth to enable long-wavelength TPV applications, which can lead to more efficient and resilient power generation systems for deep space exploration. The contract involves both analytical and empirical work, including modeling using SILVACO TCAD software and fabricating samples using molecular beam epitaxy. The ultimate goal is to build and test a full TPV generator prototype with a graphite heat source.
This contract is not designated as a set-aside award. It is part of NASA's "Solid State Energy Conversion for Deep Space Power" program, which focuses on advancing technologies for reliable and efficient power generation in deep space missions.