2014 Workshop on Thermionic Energy Conversion for Space and Earth

October 14-15, 2014
NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX

The Propulsion and Power Division of the NASA Johnson Space Center is hosting a workshop on the research and development of thermionic energy conversion to power future space missions and terrestrial applications. Currently, NASA has a vision to send manned missions to Mars in the 2030’s. However to do so, new power and propulsion technologies must emerge that have the capability of greatly reducing round trip time and initial mass. Thermionic energy conversion has the potential for high efficiency, “solid-state” operation with no moving parts, and could form the foundation of future power systems with high specific power, high reliability, and greatly reduced complexity and cost. Building upon the lessons, art, flight experience and discovered challenges of the 1960’s-1990’s, modern advances in nanotechnology, materials, and microfabrication may now enable thermionic converters to achieve their potential for space and earth power.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring together intellectual leaders and others interested from academia, the U.S. military, U.S. government labs, and industry to begin the conversation on using thermionic energy conversion for space and earth applications. The goals of the workshop are:

• To foster an intellectual and research community on thermionic emission and thermionic energy conversion to further the development of thermionic energy conversion devices for space and earth applications;
• To identify rationale that could lead to a larger sponsored research program, potentially in conjunction with other U.S. research agencies.

This two-day workshop will consist of invited and contributed talks and brainstorming sessions centered around four themes:

1. Applications, need, requirements, and historical development
2. New and emerging cathode and anode materials for high current density thermionic energy conversion (doped diamond, carbon nanotubes, barium oxide, etc.)
3. New and emerging form factors and designs for thermionic energy conversion devices (microfabricated structures, diode/triode configurations, photo-enhanced thermionic emission, etc.)
4. Testing and characterization apparatus and standards for material characterization, device performance and efficiency, and lifetime and robustness tests
   

For more information, please contact the Workshop organizers.

• Jeffrey George, EP/Propulsion and Power Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
• Prof. David B. Go, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Agenda and Presentations (updated Oct. 20, 2014)

Travel and Lodging Information:
The Workshop will be held at the NASA ISS Conference Facility next to NASA Johnson Space Center, just outside of Houston, TX. The address is 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 100, Nassau Bay, TX 77058.

The closest hotel is the Courtyard Mariott Houston NASA/Clear Lake at 18100 Saturn Lane, Nassau Bay, TX 77058, which is next door to the conference venue and within walking distance. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-281-333-0220. We have secured a government rate of $132, so please "JSC 2014 Workshop" (reference Donia Blossom) when making reservaions.

Those flying in can use either Houston Hobby (Hou), which is closer to venue, or Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which is larger but farther away

Updated: October 20, 2014