Seed-Sized Nuclear Fuel Cells Could Pave the Way for Moon's Futuristic Flower-Shaped Reactors by 2030

UK scientists have crafted minute poppy seed-sized nuclear fuel cells for potential lunar flower-shaped reactors by 2030. Developed at Bangor University's Nuclear Futures Institute, these miniature pellets employ tri-structural isotropic particle (TRISO) fuel, comprising uranium, carbon, and oxygen encased in a robust ceramic shell. Their enhanced durability and efficiency render them ideal for space exploration.

Mini Fuel Cells to Power Flower-Shaped Reactors

Scientists intended to use the mini fuel cells on the Space Flower Moon Micro Reactor, a car-sized fusion reactor conceptualized by Rolls-Royce. Funding was secured in March, marking it a prominent candidate for powering future moon bases under NASA's Artemis program, aspiring to establish a permanent lunar presence by 2030.

Scientists believe a single pellet's endurance could potentially supply a reactor for up to 15 years. The fuel cells have been dispatched to NASA for testing, where they will undergo simulations of rocket launch forces and evaluate their efficiency.

Future Moon bases face a critical need for dependable power supplies due to nighttime conditions with extreme cold, demanding substantial energy for heating and essential infrastructure.

Simon Middleburgh, a nuclear materials expert at Bangor University, emphasized in the news release the necessity of systems like micro-reactors for sustaining life in lunar and planetary environments with day-night cycles, as sunlight becomes unreliable for energy generation during the night.

Small Size of Nuclear Pellets Makes It More Cost-Efficient

Nuclear reactors are the sole feasible choice for establishing a dependable power supply on a swift timeline, but they require highly resilient fuel capable of enduring launch forces and providing long-term reliability. TRISO fuel cells, known for resisting corrosion, oxidation, high temperatures, and radiation leakage, offer the needed durability for space applications.

Apart from their ability to withstand the trip to the moon, one of the key advantages of TRISO fuels is their minute size, significantly lowering the cost of sending them into space.

Miniature nuclear fuel cells, the size of poppy seeds, have the potential to power NASA's Artemis lunar base by 2030. These cells are highly adaptable and could find applications on Earth and in space missions, such as powering rockets for Mars journeys, significantly reducing travel time.

The mini reactor, primarily designed for space exploration, also holds potential for offering temporary and reliable energy sources in disaster-affected areas like earthquake, tsunami, and tropical storm zones.

Researchers are concurrently exploring construction techniques for lunar bases, with the possibility of using lunar regolith to reinforce 3D-printed bricks for building structures on the moon.

NASA's Artemis project, advancing toward its goal of constructing a moon base by the end of the decade, recently achieved a successful mission in November 2022, while India's Chandrayaan-3 became the fourth nation to land a probe on the moon and the first to do so at the lunar south pole last month.