KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (April 28, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) today issued a solicitation for proposals for materials science onboard the International Space Station (ISS). CASIS is the nonprofit organization responsible for managing research onboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks flight research investigations that develop new or improve existing materials that will have direct terrestrial benefit. CASIS is targeting proposals for materials science in the areas of microstructure study, crystallization, and other phase transitions. Both internal and external hardware platforms are available for use to further understand the synthesis and properties of new and existing materials.
Examples of materials that may be utilized for testing include (but are not limited to): alloys, biomaterials, ceramics, composites, glasses, granular materials, metals, nanomaterials, organics, polymers, and semiconductors.
“Through this solicitation, CASIS hopes to identify new and novel materials science opportunities for relevant research initiatives,” said CASIS Director of Portfolio Management Warren Bates. “CASIS has classified materials science as a research priority capable of commercially relevant discoveries, and through this RFP we hope to capitalize on the unique environment of the ISS to enable potential scientific breakthroughs that will improve our way of life on Earth.”
In 2013, CASIS awarded two flight projects from its first materials science RFP focused on utilizing the NanoRacks External Platform on the ISS, which allows exposure to the extreme conditions of space for development and testing of new materials, components, and systems. This RFP is broader in scope, seeking projects not only for this external platform but also submissions proposing to use internal hardware to exploit the microgravity environment for materials science.
For additional information about this RFP, including instructions and information regarding materials science, CASIS, and the ISS please visit: http://www.iss-casis.org/Opportunities/Solicitations/RFPMaterialsScience2014.aspx
Step-1 Proposals must be submitted electronically by 5pm EDT on May 30, 2014 via the CASIS solicitations website page. In order to submit a final Step-2 Proposal, a Step-1 Proposal must be filed and approved by the CASIS research pathway department. Invited Step-2 Proposals will be due August 12, 2014.
