According to the South China Morning Post, a well-known international media in Hong Kong, Chinese scientists recently announced that they have successfully developed a new lightweight rechargeable battery that can be used in the extreme climate of Mars and uses the Martian atmosphere as an energy source.
Observers note that the technology is expected to play an important role in future Mars exploration missions, reducing reliance on traditional fuels and effectively coping with dramatic fluctuations in Martian surface temperatures.
How the new battery works: the Martian version of the "fuel cell"
Developed by a research team at the University of Science and Technology of China, the battery uses a fuel cell-like principle to obtain fuel directly from the Martian atmosphere to generate electricity.
The researchers say the battery is capable of lasting more than 1,350 hours at zero degrees Celsius, nearly two months of Martian time. In the case of a temperature difference of up to 60 degrees between day and night on Mars, the battery can still work normally.
"The battery works like a hydrogen and oxygen fuel cell, except that it uses carbon dioxide, oxygen and carbon monoxide from the Martian atmosphere as 'fuel'," said the researchers involved in the project. ”
A major advantage of this approach is that it can generate electricity on site, which greatly reduces the total amount of fuel that needs to be transported to Mars, making the battery lighter overall and easier to carry with the rover.
Mars' temperature difference between day and night is extremely high, making it a tough test for any battery. In the past, Mars missions relied on portable lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, and nuclear batteries to power them.
United States' Curiosity and Perseverance rovers rely on solar energy and nuclear batteries, while China's Zhurong relies mainly on solar panels. However, the accumulation of dust on Mars often affects the charging efficiency of solar panels.
The "hibernation" of the Zhurong rover on Mars is precisely because dust covers the solar panels, reducing its ability to receive sunlight.
The researchers said the goal of developing the new Mars battery was not only to extend the life of the rover, but also to address the impact of dust on solar panels. Future Mars exploration missions can flexibly use multiple energy sources, reduce dependence on a single energy source, and improve the adaptability and flexibility of the mission.
This research is not only a breakthrough in Mars battery technology, but also lays a foundation for the construction of future multi-energy systems.
The researchers said that through this proof of concept, the team hopes to further advance the development of solid-state Mars batteries, solve the problem of electrolyte volatilization at low pressure, and improve its thermal and air pressure management systems.
The research team's work has laid the foundation for the collaborative work of multiple energy sources in the Mars exploration mission, and this multi-energy system will significantly improve the reliability and efficiency of the Mars exploration mission. In the future, the application of this technology is not limited to Mars exploration, but may also be used in a wider range of space missions.
The significance and value of Mars battery technology
China's breakthrough in Mars battery technology is not only a reflection of scientific research achievements, but also a further improvement of China's position in the field of global space exploration. As the Mars exploration mission continues to advance, this new battery technology is expected to play a vital role in the future.
For a long time, United States and Europe have dominated Mars exploration technology, and their technological monopoly and advantages have put other countries under considerable pressure.
From Curiosity to Perseverance, the United States has frequently achieved results in missions to Mars, while Europe has expanded its orbital exploration of Mars. Although China successfully landed on Mars in 2019, it still faces international competition.
The development of new Mars battery technology demonstrates the independent research and development capabilities of Chinese scientists in high-precision technology, breaking the previous situation of relying mainly on imports and references.
By continuously breaking through the core technical barriers of Mars exploration, China will not only gradually get rid of its dependence on foreign technology, but also lay a more independent foundation for future space exploration.
With the refinement of this battery technology, China's Mars exploration mission will be able to use a variety of energy sources more efficiently to ensure the continuous operation of the rover in different environments. This not only extends the life of the rover, but also significantly reduces the risk and cost of the mission.
The coordinated development of multiple energy systems means that future Mars exploration will be more flexible and diverse. For example, dust cover on Mars may limit the ability of solar panels to recharge, but this battery system can cope with uncertainties by supplementing it with direct fuel supply from the Martian atmosphere.
In addition, Chinese scientists also hope to make greater technological breakthroughs in the field of solid-state batteries to deal with the problem of electrolyte volatilization in the low-voltage environment of Mars. This technological innovation will greatly improve the scope of Mars batteries and may advance exploration missions on other planets.
China's steady progress in the field of Mars exploration is not only an improvement of domestic scientific research capabilities, but also an important step in the global scientific and technological competition. After the successful landing of the Zhurong Mars probe, China's Mars exploration program has gradually expanded, and future missions will be more challenging.
This new Mars battery technology is expected to help China occupy a more advantageous position in Mars exploration, especially in terms of Mars resource utilization and exploration mission persistence.
Behind this battery technology is China's forward-looking layout for the development of space resources. From lunar exploration to Mars missions, China's space development strategy has been expanding, not only to advance scientific research, but also to plan for future energy, resource utilization and space survival.
In the future, with the continuous development of China's Mars exploration technology, China may establish more probes and even exploration bases on Mars to lay the foundation for long-term Mars exploration and development.
A little summary
The new Mars battery technology of Chinese scientists means another technological upgrade in China's exploration of Mars.
By flexibly using the Martian atmospheric resources and multi-energy system, China has not only broken the technological monopoly, but also demonstrated its strong scientific research and innovation capabilities. The development of Mars batteries will bring more possibilities for China's future Mars exploration missions and greatly enhance China's position in international space exploration.
From a strategic point of view, this technology will not only have a far-reaching impact on Mars exploration, but also provide solid technical support for China's future space development. As competition in space intensifies, China's Mars battery technology paves the way for longer-term space exploration goals.
In the future, we have reason to expect that China will make more breakthroughs in the exploration of Mars and other planets, and make greater contributions to the expansion of new living space for mankind in space.