Scientists from Washington State University (WSU) are breaking new ground in the search for suitable liquids for construction projects on the moon and Mars. Utilizing the power of machine learning, the team, led by Soumik Banerjee, is specifically investigating “ionic liquids,” a unique class of liquid salts.
With NASA’s plans to send astronauts back to the moon and eventually to Mars, the challenge of transporting construction materials from Earth becomes increasingly daunting. The focus is now on employing in situ resource utilization, making use of available materials in space. However, the absence of water on the moon raises the crucial question of finding liquids capable of extracting essential resources from lunar and Martian soil.
To tackle this issue efficiently, the scientists are leveraging machine learning techniques instead of conducting slow and expensive lab tests on every liquid. By utilizing machines, they can rapidly narrow down the options, taking into consideration specific characteristics of the liquids, such as their particle size and mobility. Consequently, they have identified six promising liquids that show potential for extraterrestrial construction purposes.
In a remarkable collaboration, WSU scientists have joined forces with researchers from the University of Colorado to conduct further experiments in the laboratory. These experiments aim to simulate the conditions prevalent on the moon, offering a realistic assessment of the liquids’ performance using materials resembling those found on lunar terrains.
Thanks to the profound contributions of machine learning and the relentless efforts of these dedicated scientists, the vision of establishing human habitation and constructing structures on the moon and Mars could be realized sooner than anticipated. This exciting amalgamation of science and space exploration opens up endless possibilities for captivating adventures beyond the confines of Earth’s boundaries.
The source of the article is from the blog oinegro.com.br