Newswise — A recent publication in Nature Communications presents the findings of a study conducted by scientists who have evaluated a novel method to harness renewable and environmentally friendly energy from beyond the Earth's atmosphere. By leveraging the natural process of photosynthesis, which plants undergo to generate energy, these researchers aim to promote sustainability within the space industry.
Conducted by the University of Warwick, a research project examines the potential of utilizing semiconductor devices to capture sunlight on the Moon and Mars. These devices hold the promise of enhancing life support systems on Mars, thereby facilitating the sustainability of potential future human settlements.
The "artificial photosynthesis devices" employed in this study mimic the natural processes that sustain plant life on Earth. They harness sunlight to convert water into oxygen and recycle carbon dioxide, much like plants do. These integrated systems offer the advantage of directly utilizing solar power, potentially reducing weight during long-duration space voyages when compared to conventional systems presently utilized on the International Space Station. This advancement holds the potential to enhance the efficiency of space travel.
The exploration of our solar system requires efficient and dependable energy sources. To address this need, there is a hope that the developed technology can be implemented on the Moon and Mars. Its purpose would be to harness renewable energy to support rocket propulsion and supplement life support systems. These systems would facilitate the production of oxygen and other essential chemicals, as well as the recycling of carbon dioxide. The knowledge gained from this study, particularly in enhancing device efficiency, can also inform their optimization for terrestrial applications. Additionally, it offers valuable insights into the performance of conventional solar cells in space environments.
Expressing her thoughts, Assistant Professor Katharina Brinkert from the Department of Chemistry stated, "The challenges faced in human space exploration mirror those encountered in transitioning to green energy on Earth, as both necessitate sustainable energy sources. The abundance of sunlight in space offers a tremendous opportunity to harness this resource, similar to how plants do on Earth, to generate energy for life support systems during extended space travel. This technology has the potential to enable significant oxygen production and efficient carbon dioxide recycling on both the Moon and Mars."
The contribution of Associate Professor Sophia Haussener from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, was highlighted as she remarked, "Through this study, we have successfully quantified the potential of these devices for utilization beyond Earth and have established preliminary design principles for their prospective implementation."
The research project was funded by the European Space Agency via the Open Space Innovation Platform – https://ideas.esa.int.
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