Nanostructured Catalytic Reactors for Air Purification This SBIR
Phase II project proposes the development of lightweight compact
nanostructured catalytic reactors for air purification from
toxic gaseous organic pollutants, particulate matter, and
microorganisms. Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) will be
catalytically oxidized inside high-density arrays of uniform
cylindrical nanopores that comprise the reactor. The nanopores
of the catalytic substrate are conformally coated with
appropriate catalyst, forming ultra-high aspect ratio, high
surface area, cylindrical nanoreactors. Such unique architecture
provides improved mass and heat transfer and ensures conversion
of volatile organics into non-toxic products with unmatched
efficiency. The proposed low-mass, low-volume and low-power-
consumption reactors are intended to replace conventional
packed-bed catalytic oxidizers used currently for removal of
trace organic contaminants from spacecraft atmospheres. The
Phase I project unequivocally demonstrated the feas