Technology Innovations

High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) electromagnet technology has precedent in terrestrial applications such as plasma confinement in nuclear fusion reactors, but is new to the space industry.

The use of superconducting electromagnets in space overcomes barriers to the scale-up of established technology products, such as electric propulsion, and unlocks new product applications with no precedent…

The magnetic flux density produced by superconducting electromagnets far exceeds that produced by conventional electromagnets currently used for in-space applications, but requires a number of systems engineering challenges to be overcome. 

NAICKER SCIENTIFIC developed the systems engineering solutions for potential propulsion and attitude control applications, and generated core intellectual property related to the thermo-mechanical isolation of the HTS electromagnet.

Spun out as a separate start-up company in 2022.

With humankind returning to the Moon later this decade, purifying the water that exists on the Moon in ice is critical to enabling more ambitious space missions. Using lunar water – as drinking water, to grow food, to create oxygen and to split into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel – is a key enabler for supporting future deep space exploration. However, purifying that water in the Moon’s harsh environment – at low temperature, at low pressure, at reduced gravity, using minimal power, and without easy human access – is challenging.

NAICKER SCIENTIFIC is developing a chemical processing system incorporating sono-chemical degradation as a core unit operation. Harnessing powerful sound waves, it spontaneously forms millions of tiny bubbles in contaminated liquid water. The extreme temperature and pressure created within each micro-bubble drives free radical and pyrolysis reactions which effectively removes contaminants. This is the first-ever sono-chemical process technology developed for space applications, offering a consumable-free and robust solution for water purification, in the remote and unforgiving lunar environment.

As well as having applications for exploration of the Moon and beyond, the technology will have wide application here on Earth – wherever lightweight, robust, low-power water purification is needed.