China designs Mars battery for future exploration

A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China has come up with a battery design that could be applied to Mars exploration. The battery has high energy density and long cycling performance. The research results were published in 'Science Bulletin' .

The research, conducted by Professor Tan Peng and postdoctoral fellow Xiao Xu of the University of Science and Technology of China, has made important progress in the study of Martian atmospheric batteries.

Accordingly, the battery uses the atmospheric components of Mars (simulating the reference ratio of atmospheric components on Mars) as the fuel material of the battery reaction , which can realize high energy density and long cycle life.

Mars batteries directly absorb the Martian atmosphere as fuel during the power generation process. (Illustration: NASA).

The team also simulated the environment on the Martian surface by incorporating temperature fluctuations and implementing a Martian battery system that could continuously generate electricity.

Research shows that at 0 degrees Celsius, the battery's energy density is as high as 373.9 watt-hours per kilogram, and the cyclic life of charging and generating electricity reaches 1,375 hours, meaning the battery can operate for about 2 Martian months.

Mars has a complex natural environment, including a variety of gas compositions and strong temperature fluctuations. Based on this, the research team created a Mars battery with the unique feature of directly absorbing the Martian atmosphere as fuel during the power generation process , which greatly reduces the weight of the battery and makes it easier to carry into space. When the energy runs out, the battery can be recharged by solar energy from the Martian surface to prepare for the next power generation.

The research team assessed that this study provides a proof of concept for the application of Mars batteries in the real Mars environment, and hopes to develop this type of battery in a solid state in further research and lay the foundation for the development of a versatile energy supplement system in future space exploration.