Abstract: The present disclosure provides for hydrogen recombiner assemblies utilizing an integrated passive heat sink. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for flameless hydrogen recombiner assemblies utilizing an integrated passive heat sink to convert leaked hydrogen (e.g., inside a spacecraft) to water vapor. In example embodiments, the present disclosure provides for self-regulating and gravity-independent hydrogen recombiner assemblies having an integrated passive heat sink for low-earth orbit (LEO) and deep-space exploration crewed spacecraft, with the hydrogen recombiner assemblies configured to convert leaked hydrogen (e.g., inside a spacecraft) to water vapor.

Abstract: A system includes a nuclear reactor having a plurality of fuel rods of radioactive decay material distributed within and embedded within a heat exchange matrix. A plurality of coolant tubes is distributed within and embedded within the heat exchange matrix, interspersed with the plurality of fuel rods. The heat exchange matrix is configured to conduct heat from the fuel rods to the coolant tubes.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a life support system (LSS) for a spacecraft includes a gas accumulator configured to store a gas, the gas accumulator including a non-metallic inner lining. A fluid processor is fluidly connected to the gas accumulator configured to produce one or more life sustaining fluids from at least the gas. A supply conduit can be fluidly connected to the fluid processor configured to supply the one or more life sustaining fluids to one or more portions of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A system includes an oxidative combustion reactor configured to receive solid organic waste and O2, and to output a combined stream of H2O and CO2. A separator is configured to receive the combined stream of H2O and CO2 from the combustion reactor and to separately output a stream of CO2 and a stream of H2O. A Sabatier reactor is operatively connected to receive CO2 from the separator and to receive H2 from an H2 source, and to output gaseous CH4.

Abstract: A radiation-to-generator (RTG) system includes an externally shielded cylindrical betavoltaic battery having sidewalls extending between an upper surface and a bottom surface. An external power electronic system is connected to the betavoltaic battery to receive power. The betavoltaic battery is configured to convert energy produced from radioisotope beta-decay to electricity that is configured to power the external power electronic system.

Abstract: A system and method for performing time-dependent reliability prediction of a printed circuit board (PCB) embedded in a sensor that monitors the health (viz., performance) of operating equipment subject to different environmental stressors. The method includes developing a digital twin (DT) of the physical PCB, generating sensor data, transmitting the sensor data, and receiving sensor data and historical conditional data by the twinning module, wherein the historical condition data includes known failure data of one or more electronic components of the circuit board based on an internal condition or and external condition. The method further includes embedded physics-based reliability models informed by inputs from the sensor data and the historical conditional data, generating a real-time failure prediction signal based on the physics-based reliability models, and reporting the real-time failure prediction signal.

Abstract: A system and method for performing time-dependent reliability prediction of a printed circuit board (PCB) embedded in a sensor that monitors the health (viz., performance) of operating equipment subject to different environmental stressors. The method includes developing a digital twin (DT) of the physical PCB, generating sensor data, transmitting the sensor data, and receiving sensor data and historical conditional data by the twinning module, wherein the historical condition data includes known failure data of one or more electronic components of the circuit board based on an internal condition or and external condition. The method further includes embedded physics-based reliability models informed by inputs from the sensor data and the historical conditional data, generating a real-time failure prediction signal based on the physics-based reliability models, and reporting the real-time failure prediction signal.

Abstract: An air purification device for use in an air management system includes a housing formed from a polymer matrix composite structure and a filter arranged within the housing. The filter is formed from a porous composite structure including a plurality of filter fibers such that air is configured to flow through the filter. Microbes within the air are configured to contact the plurality of filter fibers.

Abstract: A sensor system for a passenger conveyance system includes a multiple of 3D sensors mounted to a movable structure within a vertical shaft and/or a horizontal shaft and a processing module in communication with the multiple of 3D sensors, the processing module operable to identify an obstruction within the horizontal or vertical shaft.

Abstract: A sensor system for a passenger conveyance system includes a multiple of 3D sensors mounted to a movable structure within a vertical shaft and/or a horizontal shaft and a processing module in communication with the multiple of 3D sensors, the processing module operable to identify an obstruction within the horizontal or vertical shaft.

Abstract: A two-phase liquid/inert gas flow inerting fire suppression system is provided having improved liquid fire suppressant distribution within the inert gas flow. The system includes a flow distribution network having a first pipe interconnected with a second pipe at a flow splitting tee. A liquid flow redistribution device is disposed in the first pipe upstream with respect to fluid flow of the flow splitting tee.

Abstract: A two-phase liquid/inert gas flow inerting fire suppression system is provided having improved liquid fire suppressant distribution within the inert gas flow. The system includes a flow distribution network having a first pipe interconnected with a second pipe at a flow splitting tee. A liquid flow redistribution device is disposed in the first pipe upstream with respect to fluid flow of the flow splitting tee.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for suppressing a fire inside a defined volume within a structure. To suppress a fire, the defined volume is flooded with a flow of inert gas into which a limited amount of water is introduced into the flow of inert gas; the flow of inert gas and the limited amount of water introduced therein being sufficient to establish a fire extinguishing atmosphere within the defined volume having a volumetric oxygen concentration of at least about 14%. A cartridge for storing a limited amount of water has a water outlet in flow communication with a spray nozzle that is in flow communication with a supply of pressurized inert gas. The water storage cartridge has a gas inlet in flow communication with a supply of pressurized inert gas for pressurizing the water storage cartridge to cause water to flow therefrom to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method of separating a coal particle-laden gas mixture into a flue gas recirculation stream and a concentrated sorbent stream includes initiating combustion of a mixture of air and coal in a combustion chamber, extracting a mixture of flue gas and partially-combusted coal particles from the combustion chamber, inducing flow of the mixture of flue gas and partially-combusted coal particles toward a core separator apparatus, and separating the mixture of flue gas and partially-combusted coal particles into the flue gas recirculation stream and the concentrated sorbent stream using a centrifugal action of the core separator apparatus. The recirculation stream and the concentrated sorbent stream flow out of the core separator apparatus on a substantially continuous basis.