UCI Gets Grant to Develop Fuel for Space Travel

UC Irvine has received a $2.75-million grant from the Air Force to develop a solid hydrogen fuel that could speed air travel and make longer space missions possible, university scientists said.

The Advanced Cryogenic Propellant Center, staffed by six UCI chemistry and physics professors, will be the first center of its kind in the nation, exploring the possibility of creating a solid hydrogen fuel, said chemistry professor Ara Apkarian.

A more energetic fuel could result in a manned mission to Mars, reducing the travel time to several months, UCI scientists said.

In addition, the military could enhance its defense system by using the advanced fuel in intercept missiles, Apkarian said. If adopted commercially, the same fuel could result in a two-hour flight from Los Angeles to Japan. But new engines capable of burning such fuel would have to be designed, he said.

Liquid hydrogen and oxygen, now used as a rocket fuel. take up a lot space. Solid hydrogen fuel would require less space, perhaps saving millions of dollars, the scientists said.

Chemistry professor Ken Janda said the fuel will require special care because hydrogen will solidify only at minus 438 degrees Fahrenheit.

The scientists said they hope to have a series of initial results in six to nine months.