Work

Plasma‐Assisted Nitrogen Fixation for Mars: A Simulation Study on in Situ Resource Utilization

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This study explores nitrogen fixation in the Martian atmosphere using plasma technology. By combining microwave and dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), nitrogen was converted into water‐soluble nitrogen fertilizer (N₂O₅) for agriculture. Despite the low pressure and temperature of Mars, optimized discharge conditions and reactor design significantly boosted the generation efficiency of N₂O₅ precursors, NO₂, and O₃ production. The microwave discharge achieved NOx concentrations of 63.6 ppm, close to experimental values; adjusting DBD pressure to 760 Torr enhanced O₃ concentration by 105 times, yielding 3.8 mol/m³ N₂O₅. The findings lay a technological foundation for future Martian ecosystem development and highlight the need for further experimental validation and system optimization.

Source: Plasma Processes and Polymers

DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202400235

Authors: Yuqing Luo, Jiacheng Li, Yuran Yin, Dawei Liu

Institutions: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd. (China), State Grid Hubei Electric Power Company Electric Power Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Plasma Applications and Diagnostics

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology