Investigation into Uses for Lunar Regolith

Details Investigation into Uses for Lunar Regolith Investigation into Uses for Lunar Regolith

Jan 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003aipc..654.1103h&link_type=abstract

SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INT.FORUM-STAIF 2003: Conf.on Thermophysics in Microgravity; Commercial/Civil Next Generation

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Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, Features, Landmarks, Mineralogy, And Petrology, Photoelectric Conversion: Solar Cells And Arrays

Scientific paper

Any sustained effort on the Moon will require use of in-situ resources as much as possible to reduce costs. Power generation is a primary concern and solar cells would be a convenient source of power for any lunar activity. Lunar regolith is an easily accessible in-situ resource. The lunar regolith consists primarily of silicon dioxide (about half) with aluminum oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide comprising the majority of the residual. The regolith can be refined to extract silicon, aluminum and other potentially useful metals while also producing oxygen. Silicon and aluminum can be used in the fabrication of lunar based solar cells. In addition, lunar regolith can be melted to form a glassy substrate upon which the silicon solar cells are deposited. The glassy regolith melt is electrically insulating providing good isolation for solar cells. In addition, films of the lunar regolith are transparent at thicknesses less than a half micron. Measurements of the index of refraction indicate a value suitable for optical coatings. The regolith film could be used in antireflection coatings, transparent protective coatings and possibly even in electronic devices as insulating films. We will present results of our investigation into lunar regolith material properties and some alternative uses for the lunar regolith.

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