Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and CEO of Blue Origin, has unveiled Blue Alchemist, a new development initiative. The goal of this effort is to turn lunar dirt into a substance that can be utilized to produce power using solar cells and transmission wires.
Over the last two years, Blue Origin has improved the molten regolith electrolysis (MRE) method, which has been studied for decades. Instead of bringing in specialized materials from Earth, Blue Alchemist may create power systems on the moon utilizing resources available there.
Moon surface rock and dirt, known as lunar regolith, is melted down. Then, this melted regolith is put in a reactor and heated to a maximum of 1600 degrees Celsius (2900 degrees Fahrenheit). Blue Origin conducts its research on Earth using fake moon soil.
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Then, molten regolith is treated with an electrical current that dissolves oxides and separates components like iron, silicon, and aluminum. The resultant materials can be utilized to create electrical components, such as aluminum wire for transmission lines and cover glass needed for solar cells. The oxygen generated can be utilized for both life support and rocket propulsion. The method makes silicon purer than 99.999%, which is required to make effective solar cells.
One of Blue Alchemist’s big advantages is its ability to produce solar cells without using any water, hazardous materials, or emitting any carbon dioxide. This technology’s great potential may immediately help Earth.
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Over the past few years, NASA has provided funds to Blue Origin for research into the in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) of raw minerals from the moon and Mars. MRE experiments have received some of this money. Although it’s unclear what NASA has in mind with Blue Alchemist, making these efforts public can draw in employment candidates. Numerous vacancies in its advanced development initiatives are now being advertised by Blue Origin.
The company hasn’t specified how the regolith would be melted down. But MRE researchers, some of whom are now working at Blue Origin, have spoken of employing solar concentrators or electric arc furnaces. Bezos has indicated an interest in the production of industrial components in facilities outside of Earth and the future delivery of final goods to the planet. The “Great Inversion” of industrial production, which foresees a possible shift in industrial production away from Earth in the not-too-distant future, and space solar power have long attracted him.
