Scientists Create Transformative Nanomaterials Using 'Waste' Product from Recent NASA Research

December 20, 2023

The article you're reading has been examined according to the editorial process and guidelines of Science X. The editors have confirmed its credibility by noting the following attributes:

• Fact-checked
• Published in a peer-reviewed publication
• Sourced from a trusted place
• Proofread

Contributed by University of Sussex

Bringing in new insights, the research team from the University of Sussex has explored the powerful potential of nanomaterials on Mars, possibly paving the way for sustainable living on the red planet.

Dr. Conor Boland, a Lecturer in Materials Physics from the University of Sussex, spearheaded a research team utilizing existing resources and methodologies used on the International Space Station and by NASA. Their research focused on the possibilities of nanomaterials—extremely minute particles thousands of times tinier than a strand of human hair—for generating clean energy and establishing construction materials on Mars.

By applying only eco-friendly production methods such as water-based chemistry and low energy processes to what was previously deemed as waste by NASA, the team was able to spot electrical properties in Martian gypsum nanomaterials. This discovery hints at possibilities of clean energy and sustainable technology production on Mars.

The research findings were published in the Advanced Functional Materials journal.

According to Dr. Conor Boland, "The prospects for nanomaterials are literally out of this world. We took what NASA deemed as waste, essentially chunks of rock, and converted them into transformative nanomaterials which can be used in a variety of applications ranging from creating clean hydrogen fuel to developing an electrical device similar to a transistor to formulating an additive for textiles to boost their durability. This not only points to sustainable technology and construction on Mars but also underlines potential for eco-friendly innovations here on Earth."

The team utilized an ingenious method by NASA to extract water from Martian gypsum. The byproduct generated from dehydration of the Martian gypsum by the agency was processed to create nanobelts—similar to tagliatelle-shaped materials. These nanobelts could potentially generate clean energy and contribute to sustainable electronics whilst continuously allowing for the collection and recycling of water.

Dr. Boland remarked, 'We are hopeful about this process being feasible on Mars since it only requires naturally existing materials. Everything we used could be reproduced on the red planet. This is arguably the most crucial objective, making the Martian colony sustainable from the get-go.'

However, full-scale production of electronics on Mars may not be practical due to lack of clean and sterile conditions. Nevertheless, the anhydrite nanobelts hold significant potential for producing clean energy on Earth and could eventually revolutionize sustainable energy production on Mars.

Details of Journal: Advanced Functional Materials

The article is brought to you by the University of Sussex.