AQUALUNAR CHALLENGE SEMI-FINALIST SIXPENNY ARCHITECTURAL FABRICATION

Toronto start-up inspired by the CSA Challenge pushes boundaries into the future with Lunarwell , its water purifying system.

“The Challenge presented a unique opportunity to apply our expertise in a new and impactful way, potentially contribute to the future of Space exploration, and sustainable technology.” -- David Nolan, Owner Sixpenny Architectural Fabrication

Interview with David Nolan

By Suzanne Forcese

WT: Please introduce yourself to our viewers, telling us briefly about your background and the journey to Sixpenny.

Nolan: I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2011 with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and a BSc in Biology. In late 2011, I moved to Toronto to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams and started a small workshop, beginning my career as a metalworker. Between then and 2015, I collaborated with the owners of Sixpenny Joinery Ltd., a company primarily manufacturing solid wood doors and store fixtures. Through a few twists of fate, I eventually bought the company and took it in a new direction.

WT: Please give us an overview of your start-up's direction, including the talent that has brought this all together.

Nolan: Today, Sixpenny Architectural Fabrication is a high-end custom metal fabrication shop serving the architectural and public art realms.

We have a skilled team of project managers, designers, and fabricators dedicated to turning concepts into one-of-a-kind installations.

Beyond our fabrication work, Sixpenny is deeply engaged in R&D to address some of the larger challenges facing humanity. We reinvest a significant proportion of our profits to maintain two full time employees focused on identifying and developing proposals to tackle issues like climate change, energy production and storage, and ensuring sufficient food and water for our ever-expanding population. Our journey has been one of continuous growth and innovation, and we're excited about the future.

WT: Congratulations on being selected as one of the eight semifinalists in the CSA Aqualunar Challenge! What has this meant for you and your team?

Nolan: Thank you! Being selected as a semifinalist in the CSA Aqualunar Challenge has been an incredible honor and a significant milestone for Sixpenny Architectural Fabrication.

For me personally, it’s a validation of the hard work and dedication we've put into this project and it's an exciting opportunity to showcase our innovative capabilities and contribute to a groundbreaking initiative.

WT: The Challenge called on Canadian innovators to submit a design concept for Moon water purification. What was there about this challenge that called to you?

 Nolan: The CSA Aqualunar Challenge was particularly appealing to us at Sixpenny Architectural Fabrication for several reasons. Firstly, I've always been fascinated by space infrastructure and have wanted to get involved in this field. This challenge presented a fantastic opportunity to contribute to space exploration and potentially work with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Secondly, the challenge focuses on concepts with a low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), meaning we would get invaluable practice taking a project from its infancy through to implementation, with input from a panel of esteemed industry experts.

Additionally, our team has a solid grasp of the first principles involved, and thanks to our combined backgrounds and having a fully outfitted fabrication facility at our disposal, we felt confident that we could approach this challenge with a strong foundation in the necessary scientific and engineering principles.

Overall, the Aqualunar Challenge called to us because it presented a unique and exciting opportunity to push our boundaries, apply our expertise in a new and impactful way, and potentially contribute to the future of space exploration and sustainable technology.

WT: Your project entry in the Challenge is the Lunarwell. Please describe what this is. How does it work?

Nolan: Lunarwell is a system that leverages the unique lunar conditions to efficiently purify water. It selectively removes contaminants by using the high vacuum present on the Moon, along with the large temperature difference existing between permanently shadowed regions and sunlit areas.

This approach requires no inputs beyond dirty ice and power generated locally, showcasing our commitment to a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

WT: How do you expect it to work on the Moon?

Nolan: Lunarwell also allows for impurities to be captured for use in other industrial processes, maximizing resource efficiency. Lunarwell has been designed from the outset for operations in the lunar environment. We expect that it will thrive on the Moon!

WT: According to the Aqualunar Challenge website, “solutions may one day have terrestrial applications.” How do you envision the Challenge project having a terrestrial application?

Nolan: The Lunarwell's technology, initially designed for the Moon, can be adapted to address water purification challenges on Earth, particularly in remote and arid regions, and in disaster relief scenarios.

By leveraging solar energy and a highly efficient purification process, the Lunarwell could provide clean water in areas with limited resources. This sustainable and energy-efficient system could also drive advancements in Earth-based water purification methods, contributing to global efforts to secure access to clean water for all.

WT: What is the next step for you, now that the team has been selected to move forward?

Nolan: Now that we've been selected to move forward in the CSA Aqualunar Challenge, our immediate next step is to develop a functional proof of concept. This involves demonstrating that we understand the principles at play and that we can manipulate them effectively to achieve the desired results. A video demonstration of this proof of concept will be part of our final submission for the current stage of the challenge.

We are also looking forward to attending an innovator bootcamp in November where we will get to learn more about the Artemis missions and the lunar environment, as well as network with the other competitors from the UK and Canadian streams.

Our vision is to create a reliable and sustainable water purification system that supports long-term lunar missions and potentially human habitation on the Moon.

I would like to highlight the collaborative spirit of Sixpenny Architectural Fabrication. Our team's dedication, creativity and positive outlook are key to our success in our field as well as the CSA Aqualunar Challenge.

We're grateful to the Canadian Space Agency for this opportunity, which has inspired us to innovate both in space and on Earth. We're excited about the future and always open to exploring similar opportunities to apply our expertise to new challenges.