Researchers at IIT-Madras have achieved a breakthrough in extracting silicon carbide from simulated moon soil, a development that could pave the way for creating silicon carbide-based composites for constructing lunar habitats.
The project was carried out by Nithya Srimurugan, a PhD student, and Dr Sathyan Subbiah, a professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. They focused on extracting useful materials from lunar regolith.
Since lunar regolith is rare and limited, with only 382 kg of moon rocks and soil brought to Earth, the researchers obtained simulated lunar soil from companies like Space Resource Technologies and Exolith Labs.
The moon consists of two terrains – maria, the plains, and highlands. The highlands are rich in silicon, along with elements like aluminium and calcium. These elements are present as oxides, and to extract the metals, the oxygen must be removed.
Srimurugan aimed to produce silicon carbide, a strong and lightweight material commonly used in abrasives. While carbon is scarce on the moon, it is found in carbon dioxide exhaled by inhabitants. By utilizing the Sabatier process, which is used on the International Space Station to convert carbon dioxide into methane and water, Srimurugan was able to combine highland regolith simulant with methane at high temperatures to obtain silicon carbide.
Although further research is required to scale up the production of silicon carbide from lunar regolith for building lunar habitats, Srimurugan’s work marks a promising start. The research is currently under review, showcasing the potential for advancements in space exploration technology.
