Microcrystals Powering the Moon

The European Space Agency (ESA) has identified the south pole as a likely place to put a base on the moon, as it has consistent sunlight and it might have water.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has identified the south pole as a likely place to put a base on the moon, as it has consistent sunlight and it might have water.

A team of scientists in Estonia has already started designing solar panels to power a moon colony.

TalTech Solar

Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) are engineering solar cell tech that looks like sandpaper.

Within each polymer pane, thousands of microcrystals are embedded; each crystal is the size of a grain of sand.

The microcrystals are treated with window layers and buffer to polish the solar cell. As a result, these microcrystals attract sunlight, and each one acts like a mini solar cell that produces power.

The new style of solar panels is perfect for a base on the moon as the microcrystal panel is very low-cost, they are very flexible, and can cover large areas as there are endless shape and size options.

The researchers discovered that these microcrystals could be made from things on the moon's surface like sulphur, iron, and pyrite, also known as fool's gold. So, residents of the moon colony could potentially collect the materials for repairing the panels when needed.

TalTech researchers have been working with monograin-layer solar cell technology for applications beyond earth.

Moon power 

Many space companies are now exploring establishing a base or camp on the moon and other celestial bodies, such as Mars. They are trying to figure out how to assist occupants without having easy Earth access.

They are also working on a wide range of other ideas, such as fish farms on the moon.

Of course, though, you need the power to make everything else possible.

The TalTech scientist is not the only player in the game of trying to power the future of the moon.

NASA recently started accepting proposals for creating a lunar-based nuclear power system within the next decade.