Future lunar bases may harness solar energy through innovative solar cells crafted from melted moon dust.
Utilizing local materials for construction on the moon presents a more viable solution than transporting resources from Earth. When researchers examined this concept, the urgency to develop a lunar-based solar cell became apparent. “We have to make a solar cell like this, immediately,” one scientist expressed.
After two years of research, the team has successfully created and tested several solar cells incorporating moon dust. The primary component is a crystal called halide perovskite, comprising elements such as lead, bromine, and iodine, along with long-chain hydrocarbons.
The team processed a synthetic version of lunar regolith—loose rocks and dust found on the moon—into “moonglass,” layering it with the crystal to form the solar cell. Although they did not purify the regolith, resulting in a less transparent moonglass compared to conventional materials, the prototypes achieved around 12 percent efficiency. In contrast, traditional perovskite solar cells can reach approximately 26 percent efficiency, and computer simulations indicate the possibility of achieving similar results in the future.
Experts agree that perovskite solar cells will likely outperform traditional silicon-based devices, both in space and on Earth. The lightweight nature of perovskite materials is particularly advantageous for lunar applications, as estimated data suggests that a solar cell covering 400 square meters would necessitate only about one kilogram of perovskite. This assertion has garnered attention in the scientific community.
The ability to utilize unpurified regolith is significant, eliminating the need for specialized reactors. A large curved mirror, targeted by sunlight, could generate enough heat to produce moonglass. Preliminary tests have shown promise, with indications of regolith melting observed during on-site experiments.
While earlier studies attempted to transform lunar regolith into transparent glass, this marks the first successful demonstration of a functional solar cell made with the more manageable moonglass. The next crucial step involves scaling production of moonglass beyond laboratory settings, which could also facilitate the creation of other necessary items for lunar bases.
Technological advancements will be essential for manufacturing moonglass-based solar cells, including effective regolith excavation and integration of individual cells into functional arrays. The establishment of a lunar solar cell factory could revolutionize space-based energy systems, as utilizing moon-produced cells would require less energy compared to Earth-manufactured counterparts.
The research team is currently focused on enhancing the efficiency of their solar cells, exploring potential methods to improve moonglass quality by removing iron from the regolith prior to the melting process.
Ultimately, there are plans to extend this innovative technique to other celestial bodies, sparking discussions about the feasibility of producing energy solutions from Mars regolith in the future.
Topics:
- the moon/
- space exploration
