Scientists invent a new way to produce oxygen on MARS: Plasma-based technique could pave the way for future colonisation of the Red Planet
- Mars’ atmosphere mostly made up of CO2, which can be split to produce oxygen
- But previous studies have shown that CO2 is a very difficult molecule to break
- Scientists show that plasma can be used to effectively break down CO2
- Method could be used to produce oxygen on Mars or break down CO2 on Earth
While the idea of sending humans to Mars was once confined to science fiction, NASA hopes it could become a reality by the late 2030s.
One of the main obstacles standing in the way is a lack of sufficient oxygen on Mars.
However, scientists have invented a new plasma-based technique to produce and separate oxygen within the Martian environment.
The system could not only play a key role in developing life-support systems, but could also be used to process fuels, and create building materials and fertilisers on Mars.
Scientists have invented a new plasma-based technique to produce and separate oxygen within the Martian environment
The system could not only play a key role in developing life-support systems, but could also be used to process fuels, and create building materials and fertilisers on Mars
Four states of matter
Solid
In a solid, molecules are packed together and exert strong forces on each other. Molecules do not have room to move freely, and vibrate in place. A solid will keep its shape unless a force acts on it.
Liquid
When you heat a solid to its melting point, its molecules gain too much energy to stay in the densely packed structure. The material will melt, leaving you with a liquid.
Gas
Heat up a liquid past its boiling point and you have a gas. The molecules have completely escaped from each other, and the intermolecular forces between them are very small.
Plasma
A plasma is formed when a hot gas is electrically charged, though it behaves very differently from a gaseous material.
Mars’ atmosphere is primarily made up of carbon dioxide, which can be split to produce oxygen and carbon.
However, two big hurdles stand in the way of producing oxygen on Mars, according to the researchers from the University of Lisbon, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sorbonne University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research.
‘First, the decomposition of carbon dioxide molecules to extract oxygen,’ said Dr Vasco Guerra of the University of Lisbon, an author of the study.
‘It’s a very difficult molecule to break.
‘Second, the separation of the produced oxygen from a gas mixture that also contains, for example, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
‘We’re looking at these two steps in a holistic way to solve both challenges at the same time. This is where plasmas can help.’
Plasma is the fourth natural state of matter, alongside solids, liquids and gases.
It contains free charge particles such as electrons, which are light and easily accelerated up to very high energies with electric fields.
‘When bullet-like electrons collide with a carbon dioxide molecule, they can directly decompose it or transfer energy to make it vibrate,’ Dr Guerra said.
‘This energy can be channelled, to a large extent, into carbon dioxide decomposition.
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, with a ‘near-dead’ dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere.
Mars is also a dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps, canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence that it was even more active in the past.
It is one of the most explored planets in the solar system and the only planet humans have sent rovers to explore.
One day on Mars takes a little over 24 hours and a year is 687 Earth days.
Facts and Figures
Orbital period: 687 days
Surface area: 144.8 million km²
Distance from Sun: 227.9 million km
Gravity: 3.721 m/s²
Radius: 3,389.5 km
Moons: Phobos, Deimos
‘Together with our colleagues in France and the Netherlands, we experimentally demonstrated the validity of these theories.
‘Moreover, the heat generated in the plasma is also beneficial for the separation of oxygen.’
The oxygen produced via this plasma-based technique could be key to creating a breathable environment for settlers.
It could also be used as a starting point to produce fuels and fertilisers, allowing settlers to grow crops on the Martian surface.
In addition, the technique could prove useful here on Earth, according to the researchers.
‘By dissociating carbon dioxide molecules to produce green fuels and recycle chemicals, the plasma technology may also aid in addressing climate change on Earth,’ a statement added.
The study comes ahead of NASA’s Artemis I mission, which is set to launch on August 29, paving the way for future missions to the moon and Mars.
‘Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration, and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond,’ NASA explained.
If the Artemis missions are a success, NASA aims to launch astronauts to Mars by the late 2030s or early 2040s.
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