Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as hypergolic additives for rocket propulsion

The space industry is growing ever larger, with many commercial solutions being actively developed. Hybrid rocket engines fulfill a need in smaller launchers, to launch small satellites. These satellites currently have to wait in queue, often for several years, in order to obtain a place on the big launchers currently available. Solutions developed locally by startup companies would enable more frequent launches of smaller payloads. A key technology that permits this is hybrid rocket engines, with lesser complexity than liquid engines, and greater performance than solid rocket boosters.
Novel fuel mixtures are currently being investigated, as greener alternatives than what is commonly used (hydrazine derivatives). Hypergolic fuels ignite spontaneously on contact with the oxidizer, and therefore further reduce engine complexity by removing the need for an ignition system. Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have shown such hypergolic properties. The objective of this project is to investigate these novel hypergolic fuels and ultimately assess their viability in engine conditions.
The research done in this project will increase our understanding of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their interaction with common oxidizers, such as white fuming nitric acid (WFNA), and green alternatives, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Faculty Supervisor:

Etienne Robert

Student:

Partner:

ACSYNAM

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program: