Document Type
Conference Poster
Publication Date
Summer 7-22-2024
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
The ongoing project aims to propose a rethinking of manufacturing construction materials while considering a by-product (H2O) to other life-supporting systems. The method involves utilizing low-power microwave radiation through the susceptibility of carbon nanotubes to electromagnetic waves.
Current dominant construction methods can be divided into three approaches: 3D printing technology using various binders, laser sintering using high power, and high-energy microwave radiation. There are no additional process that considering by-products for a life-supporting system. This study is based on geopolymers using high alumina and silica amounts in lunar regolith and sodium-based aqueous solutions from water on the Moon. Once geopolymerization is completed, water can be released after solidification. The water can be used for other purposes, such as life support or recycling water for subsequent manufacturing materials. Recently, the research team identified a potential water-controlling feature in geopolymers with carbon nanotube (CNTs). Using CNTs’ high absorption capacity of microwave radiation, the water can be efficiently extractable from the geopolymer during the curing process. If water can be recapturable with low-power energy, it can extend the presence of humane and living things on the Moon without wasting water during construction.
This research focuses on the analysis of evaporated water in terms of amounts and quality to determine whether the recaptured water can be adequate for life-supporting purposes or manufacturing materials. The experimental program tests the hypothesis of how low-cost and low-power microwave radiation can be used to integrate the curing and water extraction process from geopolymers. The test results will be used to determine the efficacy of the proposed features in manufacturing lunar surface infrastructure materials. If successful, the process can be further refined to optimize in-situ resource material proportions and water extraction within the architecture of lunar habitats to support the sustainability of long-term human and robotic presence.
ThinkIR Citation
Prater, Janell; Wright, Samuel H.; and Kim, Young Hoon, "Lunar Regolith-Based Geopolymer: Microwave Radiation and Water Extraction Feature" (2024). Faculty and Staff Scholarship. 1021.
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/faculty/1021
