Value Proposition:
· Improved efficiency through lower energy consumption and higher water extraction rates.
· A single-piece system with fewer moving parts, reducing the risk of mechanical failure compared to multi-step modular alternatives.
· Smaller and lighter than comparable designs, which is especially important for space travel.
Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a high efficiency system for lunar water extraction. By integrating separate steps of extracting water from the lunar regolith into a single 3-in-1 vessel that combines comminution, beneficiation, and extraction, this invention greatly increases efficiency as well as simplifies and shrinks the required physical system. Further, through various mechanisms including a novel valve design, this system also minimizes gas and heat loss. Compared to existing designs, the estimated process efficiency of this approach is 100% higher.
Unmet Need
· Efficient lunar water extraction is crucial for long-term human presence on the Moon, but transporting sufficient water from Earth is not feasible. Existing technologies for extracting water from the lunar regolith are inefficient, multi-step modular systems that have high complexity. Therefore, there is a strong need for an efficient, streamlined, and compact lunar water extraction system to be developed to address the growing resource demands of future lunar exploration.
Stage of Development
· The technology’s design is mature and ready for prototyping.
Publication
N/A
