Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Develops Revolutionary Solar Cell Technique Using Lunar Regolith
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has developed the Blue Alchemist technique to create solar cells and transmission wire using lunar regolith, which could help establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and reduce the cost of transporting materials.
Travis
The Blue Alchemist method uses molten electrolysis to extract materials from aluminum, iron, and silicon in lunar regolith to create solar cells, and once implemented, it could provide unlimited solar power wherever needed.
Blue Origin has demonstrated the viability of the Blue Alchemist method and has been making solar cells and transmission wire from regolith simulants.
NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and Blue Alchemist could prove to be a vital part of that mission.
Lunar regolith, the surface material found on the moon, can be used to create extremely pure silicon suitable for solar cells without the need for toxic chemicals used for silicon purification on Earth.
Blue Origin's solar cells can operate in the moon's harsh environment for over a decade, making them a robust solution for long-term sustainable energy needs on the moon.
Blue Origin is working on the development of its New Glenn rocket, which will be used to launch a science mission to Mars, and has also been selected by NASA to provide its Orbital Reef space station.
Blue Alchemist could dramatically cut costs associated with transporting materials to the moon while providing a robust solution for energy needs on the moon.
Blue Origin's achievement in creating a method for producing solar cells and transmission wire using only lunar regolith is a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable human presence and exploration in space.
more stories
Lightyear 2: The Solar-Powered Electric Car That Changes the Game