SBIR Phase I: Electromagnetic-ablative PGM Refining for In-situ Asteroid Mining

这个SBIR第一阶段项目将致力于通过小行星开采来彻底改变贵金属商品市场。该公司的目标是识别和开采含有铂族金属(PGM)的近地小行星，这些铂族金属是美国多个行业的关键零部件，如汽车、电子、医疗设备、制药、可再生能源系统和消费品。目前，美国严重依赖非美国来源的PGM和其他关键矿物，其中大部分位于自由世界之外。AstroForge的技术将通过提供这些关键金属的国内来源来增加美国的经济竞争力和国家安全。SBIR第一阶段项目包括开发一种用于就地开采小行星的烧蚀精炼工艺，使用激光加热来处理复杂的小行星矿石，以分离和提取铂族金属。这种在太空开发炼油厂的方法符合任务目标和限制，例如快速提取PGM以减少辐射剂量。该项目还旨在通过创建一种新的太空金属精炼系统来解决传统精炼方法对地球的环境影响，该系统不依赖于化学过程及其相关有毒废物的产生。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This SBIR Phase I project will work to revolutionize the precious metal commodity market through asteroid mining. The company aims to identify and mine near-Earth asteroids containing Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), which are crucial components in various US industries such as automotive, electronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy systems, and consumer goods. Currently, the United States relies heavily on non-US sources of PGMs and other critical minerals, most of which are outside the free world. AstroForge's technology will increase the economic competitiveness and national security of the US by providing a domestic source of these critical metals.The SBIR Phase I project involves developing an ablative refining process for in-situ asteroid mining, using laser heating to process complex asteroid ore for separation and extraction of platinum group metals. This approach to developing a refinery in space is compatible with the mission goals and constraints, such as rapid extraction of PGMs to reduce radiation dose. The project also aims to address the environmental impact of traditional refining methods on Earth by creating a new system for refining metals in space that does not rely on chemical processes and their associated toxic waste production.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.