BillikenSat-II The First Bio-Fuel Cell Test Platform for Space

Dr. Sanjay JayaramBen Corrado

Presentation at the Cubesat Developers Workshop The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, CA

April 19, 2007

Biofuel Cell Technology

En

zymes

V

Anode Cathode

H+

Nafion 112

H+

O2

H2O

e-e-

Enzyme catalyzed bio-reaction that produces power in a manner similar to a hydrogen fuel cell or an alkaline battery

In space?

Human wasteis used in

bio fuel cell

Fuel cellproduces

power and water

Astronaut drinks water

Bio-Cycle

GOAL: Proof of concept

CHALLENGES: • Sizing – Volume, mass• Pressure Regulation• Temperature Regulation• Experimental Verification

?

Payload

Finished Anode

• Able to utilize variety of fuels • Smaller, lighter flight version• Large fuel reservoir, resists corrosion• Good conduction between plates:

Gold plating, 4 bolts

Anode

Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)

Cathode

Air Tight Fill PortPressurized Chamber

Structure

• Common fasteners used throughout• Component positions interchangeable

Side RailBattery BoxPayload

Antenna

Attitude Control

Nm

Smorbit

Communication Window

Nm

Smorbit

Geo-Magnetic Lines of Force

Passive Control using Permanent Magnets and Hysteresis Dampers

Electronic Interfaces C&DHC&DH

PIC 18Micro-

controller

PowerPower

Battery Array

Battery Chargers

Solar Array

5V 7V3.3V

ADCSADCS

Thermal ControlThermal Control ExperimentExperiment

CommunicationsCommunications

Rate Gyro X

Rate Gyro Y

Rate Gyro Z

Heater

Thermal Sensor

Control Switch

Transceiver

Power Amp

Antenna

Control Switch

A/D Conv.

DataUnregulated Bus3V Bus5V Bus7V Bus

Ground Ground StationStation

Potentiostat

+-

+-

ReedRelay

ReedRelay

Bio-FuelCell

Digitalto AnalogConverter

Current to Voltage Amplifier

Analog to DigitalConverter

Fuel Cell Output

BillikenSat-II: 20 mWComparison: A cell phone on average draws 200 mWWith flow: 20 mW/cm2 is possible Cell the size of a small book can power a laptop

Fuel Versatility

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Alkalin

eLith

ium ion

Urea

Liquid hyd

rogen

Methanol

Sugars

Ethanol

Glycero

lBiodies

el

Ene

rgy

Den

sity

(Whr

/L)

Components of Bio-FuelsAlka

line

Lithium Io

n

Liquid Hyd

roge

n

Communications

IF 10.7 MHz

FSK433 MHz

Antennas Band Pass Filter

ExternalIF IC

Band PassFilter

Oscillator

FSKGenerator

Ground Station

RF PowerAmplifier

MelexisTH7122

Transceiver

Micro-processor

T/R Switch

AntennaAntenna: Nitinolshape memory alloy

Nylon & Nichrome for deployment

Spiral etching

Silver epoxy for contact

Facilities1. Ground Station 2. Clean Room

• Software: NOVA

• Antenna:

Model 436CP42 U/G Yagi

Beam-width 21° circular

• Vertical Flow

• Soft Wall

• DEPT. OF CHEMISTY GRADUATE STUDENT (PAYLOAD):– Robert L Arechederra

• JUNIORS:– Ben Corrado (EE) – Yusshy Mendoza (ME)

• SOPHOMORES & FRESHMEN:– Rehan Refai (ME/AE) – Daniel Rooney (AE) – Nicholas Reder (AE) – Brandon Smith (AE) – Morgan Quinley (AE) – John Woodman (AE)

• AEROSPACE SENIORS:– Nathaniel Clark – Sonia Hernandez – Paul Lemon – Darren Pais

• ELECTRICAL SENIORS:– Thamer Bahassan– Mac Mills – Brian M. Vitale

• COMPUTER ENGINEERING SENIORS:– Justin Kerber– Jorge Moya– Elena Nogales

Students Involved

Questions?

Power

No

Solar

Array

Vin >Vmin

Sun Light

BatteryArrayDiode

UnregulatedBus

3V Bus 5V Bus 7V Bus

Yes

BatteryChargers

Diode

System Interfaces

C&DH

Structures

ADCS

Power

Comm.

C&DH

Thermal

Legend

Electrical Engineers: 3

Computer Engineers: 2

Aerospace Engineers: 4

Chemistry: 1

Vibrations

•First natural frequency falls within range of frequencies expected on launch• Deflections are 0.00116 mm

Mode 1 Shape Mode 2 Shape