Membranes for Separation, Purification, Compression, and Storage of Carbon Resources from Alkaline Water

STTR topic DON27TZ02-NV008 (U.S. Department of Defense – Navy), Phase I and II. Open to U.S. small businesses; STTR projects partner with a U.S. research institution. Opens: December 2, 2026. Closes: January 6, 2027. This STTR topic seeks to develop a low-cost, low-energy, low-temperature (not to exceed 50°C), high-throughput nonmetallic membrane process to purify and store carbon dioxide (CO2) (from acidic seawater solutions). Carbon resources harvested from seawater represent a critical renewable feedstock for the localized synthesis of tactical fuels, materials, nutrients, and pharmaceuticals. Developing the capability to generate these resources in-theater or at the tactical edge enhances multi-domain operational sustainment. Current technologies used to recover the dissolved CO2 produced from electrochemically processed seawater often result in dilution of the CO2 with air and water vapor that can lead to detrimental sintering and oxidation of catalysts used in thermochemical and biological synthetic approaches. In addition, there are volumetric and compression penalties associated with the dilution of the targeted gas. The proposed membrane process will reduce the complexity, size, and costs associated with supplying pure carbon dioxide resources from alkaline water sources. The integrated membrane, purification, and compression process will provide equipment, process, design criteria, energy and material balance; and establish operational performance parameters. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/