Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications
Abstract Electrochemical energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in space missions, for example, in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). They are also vitally important for future long-term space travel for oxygen, fuel and ch...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-12-01
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| Series: | npj Microgravity |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-022-00239-y |
| _version_ | 1797429457505484800 |
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| author | Ömer Akay Aleksandr Bashkatov Emerson Coy Kerstin Eckert Kristian Etienne Einarsrud Andreas Friedrich Benjamin Kimmel Stefan Loos Gerd Mutschke Lars Röntzsch Mark D. Symes Xuegeng Yang Katharina Brinkert |
| author_facet | Ömer Akay Aleksandr Bashkatov Emerson Coy Kerstin Eckert Kristian Etienne Einarsrud Andreas Friedrich Benjamin Kimmel Stefan Loos Gerd Mutschke Lars Röntzsch Mark D. Symes Xuegeng Yang Katharina Brinkert |
| author_sort | Ömer Akay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Electrochemical energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in space missions, for example, in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). They are also vitally important for future long-term space travel for oxygen, fuel and chemical production, where a re-supply of resources from Earth is not possible. Here, we provide an overview of currently existing electrolytic energy conversion technologies for space applications such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyzer systems. We discuss the governing interfacial processes in these devices influenced by reduced gravitation and provide an outlook on future applications of electrolysis systems in, e.g., in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. A perspective of computational modelling to predict the impact of the reduced gravitational environment on governing electrochemical processes is also discussed and experimental suggestions to better understand efficiency-impacting processes such as gas bubble formation and detachment in reduced gravitational environments are outlined. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:13:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f592410dfb1f4f44802b6ccbde681d39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2373-8065 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:13:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Microgravity |
| spelling | doaj.art-f592410dfb1f4f44802b6ccbde681d392023-12-02T08:11:56ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652022-12-018111110.1038/s41526-022-00239-yElectrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applicationsÖmer Akay0Aleksandr Bashkatov1Emerson Coy2Kerstin Eckert3Kristian Etienne Einarsrud4Andreas Friedrich5Benjamin Kimmel6Stefan Loos7Gerd Mutschke8Lars Röntzsch9Mark D. Symes10Xuegeng Yang11Katharina Brinkert12Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of BremenTechnische Universität Dresden, Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental TechnologyNanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityTechnische Universität Dresden, Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental TechnologyDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyInstitute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace CenterInstitute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace CenterFraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab DresdenHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Fluid DynamicsFraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab DresdenWestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of GlasgowHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Fluid DynamicsCenter for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of BremenAbstract Electrochemical energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in space missions, for example, in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). They are also vitally important for future long-term space travel for oxygen, fuel and chemical production, where a re-supply of resources from Earth is not possible. Here, we provide an overview of currently existing electrolytic energy conversion technologies for space applications such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyzer systems. We discuss the governing interfacial processes in these devices influenced by reduced gravitation and provide an outlook on future applications of electrolysis systems in, e.g., in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. A perspective of computational modelling to predict the impact of the reduced gravitational environment on governing electrochemical processes is also discussed and experimental suggestions to better understand efficiency-impacting processes such as gas bubble formation and detachment in reduced gravitational environments are outlined.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-022-00239-y |
| spellingShingle | Ömer Akay Aleksandr Bashkatov Emerson Coy Kerstin Eckert Kristian Etienne Einarsrud Andreas Friedrich Benjamin Kimmel Stefan Loos Gerd Mutschke Lars Röntzsch Mark D. Symes Xuegeng Yang Katharina Brinkert Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications npj Microgravity |
| title | Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications |
| title_full | Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications |
| title_fullStr | Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications |
| title_short | Electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments: current research perspectives and future applications |
| title_sort | electrolysis in reduced gravitational environments current research perspectives and future applications |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-022-00239-y |
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