NASA announces a competition to convert CO₂ into nutrients


    Multi-glucose chain C 6 H 12 O 6

    The United States National Space Agency has announced a science competition CO₂ Conversion Challenge . Participants are invited to find the best way to obtain useful materials from carbon dioxide in space. The size of the prize fund is up to $ 1 million, including $ 250,000 at the idea stage.

    The main direction is the conversion of CO₂ to glucose . But other substances that can be used in fermenters (bioreactors) are also being considered. In the future, these technologies will be used on Mars.

    Of course, technology can find and earthly application, but the main task is the Mars mission. As stated in the contest FAQ , colonists on Mars will have to make the most of the resources available on the planet, such as CO₂, water and regolith. From these materials will need to make the necessary products. At the same time, life support systems on Mars and in space should recycle human waste, including carbon dioxide. It is used for the manufacture of products, growing plants, manufacturing equipment and packaging material.

    According to the conditions, the source is pure compressed CO₂: technologies for obtaining from the atmosphere are not considered. The source has only CO₂ molecules without impurities CO, CH 4etc. The target product can be produced only from CO₂ and H₂ molecules (the source and form of hydrogen storage for the choice of the participant). Naturally, the use of any catalysts and reagents.

    Registration in the competition is open until January 24, 2019. After that, you need to fill in the online form and submit your application by February 28, 2019. After evaluating the works , they will select five winners who will be awarded grants of $ 50 thousand each.

    Then the second stage of the competition with a prize fund of $ 750 thousand will take place. The best technologies can later be tested as part of a scientific experiment on the ISS. All intellectual property rights remain with the authors of the inventions.

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