In the space industry, random structural vibrations and shock loads pose significant design challenges, often causing fractures in brittle components, joint slippage and failure of sensitive electronics. New countermeasures to control vibrations are therefore essential. This project explores an innovative approach using a phenomenon similar to black holes to reduce vibration in lightweight space structures.

Special structures known as Acoustic Black Holes (ABH) cause sound waves to disappear in narrow regions. Studies show that ABHs can reduce vibrations by 30 dB with a mass saving of 26%. Integrating ABHs into aerospace structures involves creating dents or cross-sectional reductions combined with damping material. ABHs are ideal for lightweight structures and can be applied to satellites, launchers or rovers.

The project aims to develop a technology demonstrator of a space structure with integrated ABHs. Ultimately, the technology will be transferred to other industries, due to ABHs’ wide range of applications.

Benefits:

• Reduction of random structural vibrations in space structures
• Lightweight structure with up to 26% mass saving potential
• Wide range of spin-off transfer applications, e.g. for the automotive industry

Extracting metals from ores is essential for our technological society, but it requires enormous amounts of energy and is responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Perfluorinated hydrocarbons (PFCs), potent GHGs, are emitted in the production of rare earth metals, which are indispensable for electromobility, magnets and high-performance alloys. Europe currently imports 98% of these metals, posing geopolitical risks.

For the extraction of Oxygen from lunar regolith (“moon dust”), an Airbus led consortium developed ROXY (Regolith to OXYgen and metals conversion), a GHG-free electrolysis process that is ideal for metals with a high affinity for oxygen and hard-to-reduce oxides. AGREE is adapting this process for Earth, focusing on the rare earth elements scandium and neodymium.

The project will optimise key components such as electrodes and demonstrate efficient, PFC-free production of Sc and Nd from their oxides in the laboratory. It will also include the design of future scaled-up facilities and the establishment of industrial partnerships to scale up sustainable production of rare earth elements.

Benefits:

• Contribution to an independent rare earth metal value chain in Europe
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for a sustainable rare earth element production
• Technology transfer of electrolysis technology originally developed to extract oxygen and metals from lunar regolith

StellarHeal tackles the unique challenges of wound healing in space, where weightlessness and radiation affect wound closure, putting astronauts’ health at risk. The solution includes a special silica gel padding, enriched with cryopreserved cells, and a protective gel. The silica gel is resistant to radiation and flexible enough to fit different wounds, with a coating that helps to stop bleeding quickly. The added cells – cryopreserved fibroblasts and macrophages – promote smooth healing and fight infection, making it perfect for space missions.

StellarHeal combines several advanced developments into a novel application. It aims to improve medical practice and the economics of wound care, and has significant potential for future applications both in space and on Earth. The consortium combines expertise in materials science, cryotechnology and biotechnology to develop, deploy and adapt the solution for various medical and biotechnological applications.

Benefits:

• Enables rapid and improved wound closure in microgravity to prevent wound infection
• Protects wounds from the adverse effects of radiation exposure
• Prevents severe wound scarring
• May address chronic wound healing for patients on Earth