One of the most significant aspects of mankind preparing to find and occupy Mars bases with power stands as a significant challenge. If Artemis astronauts need 3D-printed batteries for lunar missions, then the Martian explorers also need a "Mars version" of batteries for a quite similar reason.
In a world where resources are scarce and the weather is unforgiving, every gram of weight and each watt of power can count a lot. Because of this, a team of scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China developed a new, unique battery that can use Mars' atmosphere as fuel.
Tapping the Martian Atmosphere for Energy
Sending big volumes of infrastructure to Mars is not easy hence it's even more impractical. So, researchers have been seeking alternative approaches for powering their missions. According to Interesting Engineering, a new "battery" of a recently conceived concept does so in a pretty dramatic fashion. This one taps gases in the Martian atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, to generate electricity rather than stored energy.
Unlike other types of batteries, which store energy, the Mars battery essentially behaves like a fuel cell, wherein it produces electricity continuously by reacting with Martian atmospheric gases. Such a situation means that as long as these gases are available, the battery can produce power. Like Earth, the Martian atmosphere primarily comprises carbon dioxide (95.32%), with nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases.
Weight Loss: An Excellent Positive Quality for Space Missions
The Mars battery is regarded to be very lightweight. The use of atmospheric energy on Mars will obviate the need to carry heavy fuel reserves from the Earth. The researchers mention that this method lowers the overall energy system's weight significantly and thus proves suitable for long-duration space missions.
When the battery runs empty, it can be recharged using either solar or nuclear energy thereby ensuring continued functionality in extended missions to Mars.
The researchers said that once it's depleted, the solar energy gathered from the Martian surface will be enough to recharge it—in preparation for discharging.
Adapting to Mars' Harsh Conditions
Extremes prevail in Mars environment: temperatures varying between some 60°C (150°F) during the day and -125°C (-193°F) at night. Such conditions pose challenges to testing standard technology. However, the Mars battery was prepared with such extreme conditions of bitterness and did not hinder its functioning for long periods of time without any interruption.
The battery maintained its ability to cycle for 1,375 hours, which is equivalent to two Martian months. It also held up well at 0°C (32°F), showing an excellent energy density value of 373.9 Wh/kg. This will make it highly adaptive to the severe atmospheric conditions on Mars.
"The battery's charge and discharge processes involve the formation and decomposition of lithium carbonate, while trace amounts of oxygen and carbon monoxide in the Martian atmosphere act as reaction catalysts, significantly accelerating the carbon dioxide conversion kinetics," the press release explains.
Optimize Battery Efficiency and Capacity
The researchers didn't confine themselves to the design of a battery that could work on Mars. Instead, they optimized the design to fit the structure in such a way that efficiency is maximized. They added an extra component where the folded structure of the cell was introduced for adding up more interaction of surface area between the Martian atmosphere and electrodes of the battery, which made both charge and discharge cycles quite energy-reproducing ones.
The cells of the battery had also been increased to 4 cm² size, thereby increasing the energy density to 765 Wh/kg and 630 Wh/l. An aspect of design improvements promises to efficiently take advantage of future Mars missions by power supplies through being both reliable and light in weight.
Sneak Peek at Space Exploration Future
When scientists are able to venture further into space, great solutions in energy will be desperately in demand. Research in this field will aim at making solid-state batteries that can conquer the main problems: low pressure and extreme temperature fluctuation.
These technologies can lead to an even more efficient space-exploration system and, in the future, humans living on the planet. The results of this pioneering research have been published in the journal Science Bulletin, giving a further glimpse into the prospect of future energy technology on the Red Planet.
