UK Scientists Create Device to Generate Drinking Water on the Moon Using Microwave Technology

Gloucestershire:British scientists have developed a groundbreaking device that can generate drinking water on the Moon, earning them a $150,000 prize. The innovation, inspired by microwave technology, could be a crucial step for long-term lunar missions.

The device was created by a local institution, Niker Scientific, which developed an advanced system capable of purifying water beneath the Moon’s surface. This technology, known as the Sonochemical System, uses a combination of microwave and ultrasound to defrost and break down contaminants in the water extracted from the Moon’s frozen soil.

The system harnesses the principles of microwave technology, similar to that used in kitchen microwaves, to clean and purify water from the lunar surface. According to the institution’s technical director, Lolan, the challenge was to solve the problem of water in an environment with extreme conditions—where temperatures can reach minus 200°C, the gravity is nearly nonexistent, and electrical energy is scarce.

This innovation could provide astronauts with a sustainable and clean source of drinking water for future lunar missions, marking a significant advancement in space exploration technology.