A sample of synthetic lunar soil is shown in a University of Waterloo lab on June 12, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV News)


June 17, 2024 Tags:

For some, living on the moon seems far-fetched, but for others, it’s becoming more plausible. Anqi Wang, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo, is part of a team making this dream a reality. Supervised by John Wen and Jean-Pierre Hickey, the researchers aim to use the moon's soil to create energy and support life on the lunar surface.

“Our goal is to provide the energy needed for people to survive and thrive on the moon,” Wang explained. This project excites everyone involved. Wang, who previously focused solely on combustion at the University of Missouri, now works on practical applications for space.

Jack Ehling, a co-op student, expressed amazement at working on such a project. PhD candidate Connor MacRobbie sees it as a chance to turn science fiction into reality. The team's ultimate aim is to find ways to use lunar soil to generate energy, reducing the need to transport materials from Earth, which is costly and impractical.

“So we're trying to limit the amount of resources taken from Earth to space. One thing that we're starting to look at is how to use space debris as a fuel source,” MacRobbie said.

The team conducted experiments using lunar soil simulants provided by NASA. They use this regolith in combustion reactions to generate heat and energy. Their approach also addresses space debris by repurposing it into fuel, aiming for a sustainable infrastructure that recycles old satellites and refines lunar soil for building materials.

The journey to creating a self-sufficient lunar environment is long, but MacRobbie remains hopeful. “Is it going to amount to anything? At this point, I do think it will. We're doing a lot of great work and there are a lot of good prospects for us moving forward,” he said.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Gladiator’s Skeleton In York Shows Evidence Of Lion Combat

A fascinating discovery in York, England, has given researchers new insights into ancient Roman combat. Archaeologists have found a skeleton....

White House Reports Success At Canada-U.S. Border Amid Tariffs

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the successes at the Canada-U.S. border during a briefing on Tuesday. She mentioned....

Record 7.3 Million Canadians Cast Votes In Advance Polls: Elections Canada

A new record was set in Canada as 7.3 million people cast their votes during the advance polls, according to....

Scientists discover rare signs of Earth's layers peeling beneath Sierra Nevada

Seismologist Deborah Kilb made an exciting discovery while analyzing earthquake data from California. While reviewing the past four decades of....

Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, aiming to stop a freeze on over $2.2 billion....

Canada’s Election Focus Shifts From Climate To Energy Plans

As Canada gets ready to vote on April 28, concerns about climate change have taken a back seat. This time,....

Canada’s Election Heats Up As Liberals Hold Narrow Lead

Canada’s federal election is entering its final week, and the race is now neck and neck. A new poll shows....

Trump May Cut Another $1 billion From Harvard Over Policy Dispute

The Trump administration plans to remove another $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard University. This decision comes as tensions....

Oldest American Astronaut Don Pettit Returns To Earth On 70th Birthday

Don Pettit, America’s oldest active astronaut, landed safely back on Earth on his 70th birthday. He traveled in a space....

Advance Voting Grows As Poilievre Slams Carney For Inflation

Canadians kept showing up at advance polls on Sunday, making the most of early voting. While people lined up to....

Record Turnout Across Canada At Advance Polls As Voters Flock To Cast Ballots Early

Advance voting in Canada’s 2025 federal election has reached historic levels. On Good Friday alone, over 2 million people cast....

Trump Says Tariffs Boost U.S. Wealth, Promises Trade Talks

President Donald Trump made it clear this week that he isn’t stepping away from his global tariff strategy. Despite growing....