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NEW YORK, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2003) – The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), a
NASA-funded program, has helped a
Manhattan cardiologist with the development of frozen jet
fuel to reduce fuel combustibility in airplanes.
SATOP provides free engineering
assistance to small businesses with technical challenges
through the donations of time and expertise from 40 Space
Alliance Partners.
Dr. Jeffrey Matos, a cardiologist with a background in
chemistry, witnessed the devastation caused by the
terrorist attacks of 9-11 and wondered if something could
have prevented the collapse of the
Twin
Towers. Most experts agree that what brought down the
buildings was the highly combustible jet fuel that ignited
upon impact and weakened the buildings’ support systems.
“I was horrified by what happened on 9-11,” said Dr.
Matos. “I believed there had to be some way to reduce the
chance of jet fuel igniting.”
Using dry ice, Dr. Matos conducted more than 50 fuel
ignition tests, carefully documenting each experiment on
videotape. He suggests two different means by which to
fuel an aircraft. The preferred approach would be to fill
fuel tanks with liquid fuel at a temperature slightly
warmer than its freezing point and then freeze the fuel
once it is onboard. An alternate approach would be to
load the aircraft with already frozen fuel in the shape of
blocks, cylindrical rolls, or spheres.
Once Dr. Matos completed the testing and received a
provisional patent, he needed to obtain industry-level
verification that his theory was accurate. Karl Milde, a
personal friend and patent attorney previously had
utilized SATOP and directed Dr. Matos to the outreach
program for the verification he needed.
SATOP assigned the frozen fuel project to Jeffrey
Osterlund, a project manager with the United Space
Alliance (USA). Osterlund was immediately interested
because of his background in research and development and
expertise in fuel systems.
Osterlund was able to provide Dr. Matos with invaluable
technical insight. He discussed the feasibility of
different fuel applications, provided vehicle retrofit
modification assessments, investigated aspects of fuel mix
ratios and explored cost models.
“I think the idea of frozen fuel is very sound,” said
Osterlund. “If it can reduce the flashover point and
delay the ignition of the fuel in a plane crash, even for
30 seconds, then there is a greater chance that people
will have enough time to escape and survive the initial
impact.”
Osterlund submitted a thorough report, complete with
confidential data, including application strengths and
weaknesses, recommendations for future fuel testing and
data collecting, and how best to approach the current
airline fleet with retrofit frozen fuel kits.
“Jeffrey’s single most important contribution was
validation – he confirmed that my idea and experiments
were sound and that I should take it to the next level,”
said Dr. Matos. “It is really remarkable that SATOP can
provide this top notch space industry support to small
startups and inventors like myself.” |
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