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Assessment of the technological viability of photoelectrochemical devices for oxygen and fuel production on Moon and Mars.

ABSTRACT: Human deep space exploration is presented with multiple challenges, such as the reliable, efficient and sustainable operation of life support systems. The production and recycling of oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and fuels are hereby key, as a resource resupply will not be possible. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices are investigated for the light-assisted production of hydrogen and carbon-based fuels from CO₂ within the green energy transition on Earth. Their monolithic design and the sole reliance on solar energy makes them attractive for applications in space. Here, we establish the framework to evaluate PEC device performances on Moon and Mars. We present a refined Martian solar irradiance spectrum and establish the thermodynamic and realistic efficiency limits of solar-driven lunar water-splitting and Martian carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂R) devices. Finally, we discuss the technological viability of PEC devices in space by assessing the performance combined with solar concentrator devices and explore their fabrication via in-situ resource utilization.

SUBMITTER: Ross B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10244351 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Assessment of the technological viability of photoelectrochemical devices for oxygen and fuel production on Moon and Mars.

Ross Byron B Haussener Sophia S Brinkert Katharina K

Nature communications 20230606 1

Human deep space exploration is presented with multiple challenges, such as the reliable, efficient and sustainable operation of life support systems. The production and recycling of oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and fuels are hereby key, as a resource resupply will not be possible. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices are investigated for the light-assisted production of hydrogen and carbon-based fuels from CO<sub>2</sub> within the green energy transition on Earth. Their monolithic des ...[more]

PMID: 37280222

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Project description:With long-term missions to Mars and beyond that would not allow resupply, a self-sustaining Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) is essential. Algae are promising candidates for BLSS due to their completely edible biomass, fast growth rates and ease of handling. Extremophilic algae such as snow algae and halophilic algae may also be especially suited for a BLSS because of their ability to grow under extreme conditions. However, as indicated from over 50 prior space studies examining algal growth, little is known about the growth of algae at close to Mars-relevant pressures. Here, we explored the potential for five algae species to produce oxygen and food under low-pressure conditions relevant to Mars. These included Chloromonas brevispina, Kremastochrysopsis austriaca, Dunaliella salina, Chlorella vulgaris, and Spirulina plantensis. The cultures were grown in duplicate in a low-pressure growth chamber at 670 ± 20 mbar, 330 ± 20 mbar, 160 ± 20 mbar, and 80 ± 2.5 mbar pressures under continuous light exposure (62-70 μmol m-2 s-1). The atmosphere was evacuated and purged with CO2 after sampling each week. Growth experiments showed that D. salina, C. brevispina, and C. vulgaris were the best candidates to be used for BLSS at low pressure. The highest carrying capacities for each species under low pressure conditions were achieved by D. salina at 160 mbar (30.0 ± 4.6 × 105 cells/ml), followed by C. brevispina at 330 mbar (19.8 ± 0.9 × 105 cells/ml) and C. vulgaris at 160 mbar (13.0 ± 1.5 × 105 cells/ml). C. brevispina, D. salina, and C. vulgaris all also displayed substantial growth at the lowest tested pressure of 80 mbar reaching concentrations of 43.4 ± 2.5 × 104, 15.8 ± 1.3 × 104, and 57.1 ± 4.5 × 104 cells per ml, respectively. These results indicate that these species are promising candidates for the development of a Mars-based BLSS using low pressure (∼200-300 mbar) greenhouses and inflatable structures that have already been conceptualized and designed.

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Assessment of the technological viability of photoelectrochemical devices for oxygen and fuel production on Moon and Mars.

Publications

Assessment of the technological viability of photoelectrochemical devices for oxygen and fuel production on Moon and Mars.

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