American researchers say they have discovered a method that could use salt water on Mars to make oxygen and fuel.
Oxygen and fuel will be important elements to support future human research activities on the Red Planet.
Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri developed a new method. The method works with electrolysis, a process by which an electric current is passed through a liquid like water.
The machine created by the researchers is called electrolyzer. Researchers say it can separate salt water into oxygen and hydrogen gases. Humans needed oxygen to breathe and hydrogen could be used to fuel spacecraft and equipment.
The team described the process in a recently published study Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (P.N.A.S.).
Scientists have already collected solid evidence that Mars once had a large amount of water and today the planet has a large supply. But Mars is extremely cold. Therefore, most of the water is supposed to be in the form of ice.
The research team noted that any water that is not stagnant is almost filled with salt from the land of Mars. Normal electrolysis methods for breaking down water into oxygen require that the benign be removed first. Researchers say the process can be complex, expensive and harmful to the environment.
They said the new method they discovered could take straight and salty water Convert It comes in oxygen and hydrogen.
The team conducted experiments with high levels of magnesium salts, which scientists believe are possible on Mars. The researchers also tested temperatures similar to those on the Red Planet’s atmosphere.
In a news release, the engineers suggested that the system would be very valuable during research activities planned on Mars. “To live – even temporarily – on Mars, no Mention To return to Earth, astronauts will need to produce some necessities, including water and fuel, on the Red Planet. ”
The US space agency NASA has also experimented with technology to produce oxygen on Mars. A device designed to do this will be investigated as part of NASA’s opinion Mission. Drata is a new exploration vehicle or rover, which is currently heading towards Mars.
The NASA device is designed to convert carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere into oxygen. The process uses a high temperature electrolysis method. NASA scientists have tested the system by repeating the atmosphere of Mars in experiments on Earth.
The lead researcher on the new project is Vijay Ramani, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Washington. He said the system developed by his team could produce 25 times more oxygen than the NASA system, while using the same power. It can also produce hydrogen fuel, which NASA devices cannot.
The engineering team said his method could also have valuable uses on Earth. “After demonstrating these electrolyzers under the demands of Mars’ condition, we intend to adjust them to milder conditions on Earth,” said Pralay Gai. He is a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of studies at the University of Washington.
Gayen said the device could potentially be used for conversion. Can happen Rusty Or salt water in oxygen and hydrogen “seawater electrolysis.” By
Once it can be used in the defense industry, he added. This method can create oxygen on demand for submarines. It may also be able to provide oxygen to researchers exploring new atmospheres in the deep ocean.
I’m Brian Lynn.
Brian Lee is a graduate of Washington University, Nature and PNS. VO has written this story for Learning English based on reports from. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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The words in this story
Convert – V. To change the look or purpose of an object
Mention – V. Speak quickly about something, using a little detail or a few words
Mission – n. An important task, which usually involves traveling somewhere
Rusty – Adjective Water that can be a little salty, dirty and unpleasant
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