Ensuring a consistent supply of breathable air is a fundamental requirement for deep-space missions, where resupply from Earth is impractical. Traditional methods for generating oxygen in microgravity, such as electrolysis aboard the International Space Station (ISS), often involve complex and energy-intensive systems. A groundbreaking development, however, promises a more efficient and sustainable solution by leveraging magnetic fields to enhance oxygen production.
An international team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen, and the University of Warwick has developed an innovative system that utilizes magnetic interactions to improve the efficiency of water electrolysis in space. This approach directly addresses the challenges posed by microgravity, where gas bubbles produced during electrolysis tend to adhere to electrodes, hindering the separation process. The research, led by Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo, demonstrates that applying magnetic fields can effectively control electrochemical bubbly flows in microgravity.
By employing off-the-shelf permanent magnets, the team created a passive phase separation system that guides gas bubbles away from electrodes and collects them at designated points. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical components like centrifuges and pumps, leading to lighter, simpler, and more sustainable life support systems for deep-space missions. Published in Nature Chemistry, the study highlights two key magnetic interactions: diamagnetism and magnetohydrodynamics. Diamagnetism repels water from magnetic fields, directing gas bubbles toward collection points. Magnetohydrodynamics arises from the interaction between magnetic fields and electric currents generated by electrolysis, creating a spinning motion in the liquid that separates gas bubbles from water through convective effects.
These combined forces enhance gas bubble detachment and movement, improving the efficiency of electrochemical cells by up to 240%. Experiments conducted at the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany, which simulates microgravity, validated the system's feasibility. The results confirmed that magnetic forces can effectively control electrochemical bubbly flows in microgravity, representing a significant advancement in low-gravity fluid mechanics and enabling future human spaceflight architectures.
This work is supported by funding from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. The team plans to further validate their method through suborbital rocket flights to demonstrate its effectiveness in extended microgravity conditions. This magnetic approach offers a promising pathway to develop more cost-effective and sustainable life support systems, crucial for the success of future human endeavors beyond Earth. The research builds upon Dr. Romero-Calvo's initial concept and simulations, with experimental validation provided by Professor Katerina Brinkert's teams at Warwick and ZARM.