RefresherBoxx

In space, water is a precious commodity. Too precious to wash with it. At the International Space Station ISS, astronauts wear their garments for a prolonged period of time. These are then disposed of after the space mission. Infinity GmbH has developed the RefresherBoxx, which can be used to clean, disinfect and dry all kinds of textiles without the use of water or chemicals. By combining different physical methods (light of different wavelengths, active oxygen, different temperature modes and air pressure differences), bacteria, fungi and viruses are killed and removed. As a result, textiles can be refreshed gently within 30 minutes, valuable resources can be saved and human diseases prevented.

Benefits:

Disinfection – removes up to 99.99512 % of bacteria, fungi and viruses, preventing odours and infections
Environmentally friendly and resourcesaving use in space and on Earth
Suitable for any textile and material

Infinity StartUp GmbH
Aachen, Germany
Sing-Hong Stefan Chang
stefan.chang@refresherboxx.com
refresherboxx.com

6. October 202019. November 2020

Additive manufacturing method for metallic coatings of CFRP propellant tanks

Propellant tanks for rocket stages made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) need to be lined with a metallic coating (called a liner) on the inside to protect the material from aggressive propellant components and to ensure tightness. Until now, these protective layers have been produced in an expensive manufacturing process by forming and welding thin-walled metal sheets.
Additive Space GmbH is developing a thermal spraying process by which metallic coatings can be applied to the inside of the CFRP structure quickly and cost-effectively. The method enables several layers of metals with different material properties to be applied one after the other with the minimum required layer thickness. Apart from the spraying device, which is mounted on an industrial robot, for example, no further devices adapted to the geometry of the respective fuel tank are required.

Benefits:

Thermal spray process for very thin coating thicknesses (≤ 100μ) with low mass increase
Cost / effort reduction, since a metal liner does not have to be produced separately
No geometric specific devices necessary – universal system use
Moderate development risk through adaptation of an established procedure
High scalability
Wide range of applications

Additive Space GmbH
Neusäß, Germany
Sascha Larch
sascha.larch@additive-space.com
www.additive-space.com

6. October 202019. November 2020

HOSSA

Fraunhofer IISB is developing a novel technology for ultra-high-temperature resistant protective coatings for space applications. The HOSSA project is based on the institute’s research work to apply ceramic protective coatings to fibre-reinforced composites using powder coating technology.
The aim is to make the advantages of fibre-reinforced composite components, such as high elongation at fracture, high cracking resistance and dynamic load capacity, available for new applications by increasing heat and oxidation resistance as well as increased mechanical abrasion resistance. The patented technology offers a considerable cost advantage over conventional coating processes and is also suitable for component repair.
With HOSSA, the efficiency of propulsion systems and the exposure time for re-entry vehicles can be increased. These protective coatings can also be applied for power units of aircraft and helicopters as well as gas turbines.

Benefits:

Highly tuneable coating technology to achieve different coating properties
Cost-effective and highly flexible in terms of part geometry and size
Enables the application of fibre-reinforced composites in new applications
Higher combustion temperatures and thus increased efficiency of rocket engines and power units

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and
Device Technology IISB
Erlangen, Germany
Dr-Ing. Christian Reimann
christian.reimann@iisb.fraunhofer.de
iisb.fraunhofer.de

6. October 202019. November 2020

Dr. Beat

Astronauts are subject to a high level of physical stress in weightlessness. The continuous monitoring of important bodily functions, especially of the cardiovascular system, is therefore urgently required during the stay in space. Findings from space medicine can also be applied to the diagnosis of heart diseases, which are the most common cause of death worldwide. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the cost of cardiovascular diseases in 2015 amounted to EUR 46.4 billion. Systems currently used for cardiac diagnostics offer only limited possibilities for monitoring high-risk patients or can only be used for inpatient treatment. The “Dr. Beat” project relies on ballistocardiography (BCG), originally developed for space, which can record actual heart function using modern, digital microelectronics.
Within the scope of the project, a high-precision and cost-effective BCG sensor system is being developed that can be worn on the body as a “wearable” and enables continuous health monitoring.
The extensive signal processing, data evaluation and diagnostics will be automated by means of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and should not only provide new insights into space medicine but also improve diagnostics and early detection of cardiological diseases in everyday life.

Benefits:

Cost-effective, wearable BCG sensor system including signal processing and data evaluation for diagnostics and prediction of
cardiovascular processes
Comprehensive, ubiquitous, discrete and continuous cardiovascular diagnostics for risk patients on Earth and astronauts in space using AI
Fields of application: space medicine, terrestrial medical technology, wellness sector, safety-critical jobs (e.g. pilots, drivers)

DSI Aerospace Technologie GmbH
Bremen, Germany
Dr Ulf Kulau
ulf.kulau@dsi-as.de
dsi-as.de

6. October 202019. November 2020

QuMSeC – Quantum Memories for Secure Communication

With a turnover of USD 156.3 billion¹, satellite communication is a key component of the global digital economy and is of strategic importance to government and society. The Internet, television, telephony or communication in aviation and shipping rely on highly secure satellite communication networks.
However, the encryption methods used in data transmission today are vulnerable, which poses considerable security risks for critical infrastructures in the energy, telecommunications and transport sectors, for example. Quantum communication generally provides the necessary cyber security for current and future satellite communication systems. However, this has so far been based on the assumption of complete control over the development, manufacture, launch and operation of satellites. The „QuMSeC“ project, carried out by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, is intended to set new standards for secure quantum key exchange with the help of quantum storage devices, even for untrustworthy satellites. In the future, customers and users without their own satellite infrastructure should benefit from secure data communication via satellites.

¹ Global Space Economy 2018 (Source: Bryce Space and Technology, 2020)

Benefits:

Verifiable communication security
Market basis for quantum communication providers
Enables economic exploitation of quantum communication
Strengthening of the German leadership role in quantum technology

Technische Universität Berlin, Einstein Center Digital Future, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik
Germany
Prof Janik Wolters, Dr Markus Krutzik
j.wolters@tu-berlin.de
m.krutzik@physik.hu-berlin.de
berlinquantum.net, physik.hu-berlin.de, qt-berlin.de