The challenge seeks new design concepts to remove carbon particles from novel life support systems so astronauts can breathe easier; Best ideas to share $45,000 Prize stock exchange
HOUSTON, October 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — HeroXthe leading platform and open marketplace for crowdsourcing solutions, today launched the crowdsourcing competition, the “NASA Particle Score Challenge. “The challenge seeks solutions in the name of Nasa.
Astronauts living aboard the International Space Station are supported by a complex life support system that maintains a breathable atmosphere. Work is underway to develop components that will be the next generation of life support systems for astronauts. A Bosch reactor recovers the residual carbon dioxide and converts it into solid carbon and water, in the presence of a catalyst and hydrogen gas. Water is an important resource on its own, and it can also be electrolyzed to produce oxygen and hydrogen.
The solid carbon particles that are produced in a Bosch reactor must be regularly removed for the reactor to operate. Large amounts of carbon are produced per day (approximately 1 kg per crew of four), so removal must be both efficient and continuous. The collection and safe disposal of the carbon particles generated by this reactor, when it is operating continuously, is at the heart of this challenge.
“This issue has been brought to the right people,” said Kal K. Sahota, CEO, HeroX. “The HeroX community is ready to help again, this time by bringing the duration of planetary missions to life.”
The challenge: The challenge seeks to identify innovative ways to safely and efficiently remove fine carbon particles from a Bosch reactor without affecting reactor performance. The design concept could help future astronauts breathe easy by contributing to the development of improved life support systems for future extraterrestrial habitats. And, to encourage the next generation of solvers, there will also be a Junior Challenge running simultaneously for innovators under the age of 18. This challenge will ask young innovators to submit ideas on how an alien habitat can maintain a breathable atmosphere for its inhabitants.
The price: The winners of this single-phase challenge will share a total purse of $45,000. The top three entrants in the Junior category will each receive public recognition and NASA swag.
Eligibility to Compete and Win Prizes: The prize is open to anyone aged 18 or over participating as an individual or as a team. Individual competitors and teams may be from any country, as long as United States Federal sanctions do not prohibit participation (some restrictions apply). To participate in the Junior category, you must be under 18 years old.
To take up the challenge, go to herox.com/NASAParticle
To accept the junior challenge, visit herox.com/BreathJrChallenge
ABOUT HEROX
HeroX is a platform and open marketplace for crowdsourced innovation and human ingenuity, co-founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneur, Christian Cotichini and XPRIZE founder and futurist, Pierre Diamandis. HeroX offers a turnkey, easy-to-use platform that helps anyone, anywhere solve everyday business and global challenges using the power of the crowd. Uniquely positioned as a social network for innovation, HeroX is the only place you can build, grow and manage your own audience.
Discover the latest challenges on www.herox.com
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