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Purdue University, NASA, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and Pennsylvania State University are developing the first ecofriendly rocket propellant.
Steven Son, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, is the head developer. Leading work at Penn State are mechanical engineering professor Richard Yetter and assistant professor Grant Risha. Timoth‚e Pourpoint, a research assistant professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is a major contributor to the projects success.
The rocket fuel is a combination of aluminum and ice (frozen water) that has been dubbed ALICE. This "green propellant" produces hydrogen gas and aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide is the surface of aluminum foil and sheet. Aluminum oxides almost instantly because the oxide is a lower energy and more stable structure.
Aluminum nanoparticles (80 nm diameter) provide the energy. The water provides oxygen for combustion after the aluminum is ignited. The fuel is frozen to withstand the g forces of takeoff and to prevent unintended reaction. A small rocket engine ignites the system.
This propellant bodes to be much greener and more efficient than the present space shuttle fuel. One trial in June 2009 proved the concept is viable. Refinements are being pursued at present.
Research findings were detailed in technical papers presented this summer during a conference of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The papers will be published next year in the conference proceedings.
The gel of aluminum and ice may also lead to development of an efficient hydrogen fuel cell.
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/aug/HQ_09-194_ALICE.html
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009b/091007SonRocket.html
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~sson/
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