Rochester Institute of Technology is slated to receive $9.9 million for U.S. Space Force research. The university will lead USSF University Consortium/Space Strategic Technology Institute 3 work on advanced space power and propulsion.
“We’re trying to look at innovative new materials,” says Seth Hubbard, professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at RIT and director of the SSTI research center. “It’s very important to find materials that are scalable, manufacturable, but can also withstand the extreme environments in space.”
The team will build on Ahmad Kirmani’s work. Kirmani, assistant professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, is delving into how the next-generation printable semiconductor, the metal-halide perovskite, reacts and self-heals in extraterrestrial conditions.
“We have found some really surprising and astonishing properties,” says Kirmani. “Perovskites appear to hold up at energy levels and intensity levels far higher than silicon, and silicon has been used for powering space satellites. We have been recreating space stressors like radiation, vacuums, and atomic oxygen to see how perovskites perform.”
In partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the center expects to work on technology that will transition to the U.S. Department of Defense, officials say. The University of Michigan is another lead institution focusing on advancements in solar technology, thruster technology, and novel power approaches.
As a center leader for the SSTI, RIT will work with other university partners to develop lower-cost, sustainable solar cells that can be used for power systems.
Space has quickly become a source of exploration for businesses—moving away from the traditional domain of national governments. As a result, demand has increased among private firms for cheaper materials, like perovskites, that can withstand harsh environments. Some examples include Elon Musk’s Space X, Blue Origin established by Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
Advancing space technologies has become a large focus of funding for both private and governmental and military purposes, RIT officials say.
“We’re recognized as a university that can handle this type of work, knows what they’re doing, and is at the forefront of this technology and research,” says Hubbard. “To be selected for this opportunity to contribute to the cutting edge of space power research is very exciting.”
We have such great institutions of higher learning. RIT is a fantastic institution. What an absolute shame that our urban youth will not have a chance to attend it. Those kids are shut out by the pathetic RCSD in conjunction with the RCSB. Those kids have the skills, they just need to attention and guidance they deserve. They are being sacrificed for the egos at the leadership level who just can’t, or worse won’t, give them the opportunity. This is not the kids fault, it the “adults” in the room. Shame on them. Shame on the Major and all the do nothing politicians in the city. I know, I know, it’s not our job. Whine whine. IT’S EVERYONE’S JOB TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS GET A RELEVANT EDUCATION SO THAT THEY CAN CHASE THE DREAM. It can be done, but it requires work. For them it’s to damn hard. They are intellectual losers.