US scientists develop microbial robots to explore Mars and other planets

Scientists have developed microbiological robots that use microbes to provide electrical energy to space robots.

According to foreign media reports, space robotics experts at the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are working on a new generation of exploration rovers. The robots they developed are completely different from the previously launched space robots. They are not only small individuals but also use microbes to provide long-lasting electrical energy. It will be more energy-saving and environmentally friendly to use "little guys" to explore Mars and other planets.

Scientists said that future space missions will need to be able to send large amounts of data. Until now, space agencies have been able to meet the demand by building larger and larger spacecraft. However, this road seems unsustainable.

In 2004, NASA dispatched two Mars exploration rover vehicles: the "Opportunity" and "Courage" Rover to this red planet, and now launch the "Curious" Rover. The "Curious" Mars Rover is a car-sized Mars remote control device. It is the largest thermal insulation panel ever built on a probe to Mars, weighing about one ton. Its mission is to explore the elements of life on Mars.

In order to send larger machines to other planets, engineers must build extremely expensive rockets and carry nuclear power to power the machines. The NRL research team believes that another solution is to use a small machine to obtain a huge amount of data through another method. The team said that a large group of small robots, weighing less than one kilogram each, can perform the same tasks as a more complex machine, but at a fraction of the cost, and can reduce energy consumption and have more Great flexibility. Researchers at the NRL spacecraft engineering department are developing small robots capable of detecting other planets, which are powered by bacteria. Expert Gregory Scott leads the team.

Microbial fuel cells are currently one of the most promising approaches to space exploration research because they can provide continuous and reliable energy, even providing longer supply times than current nuclear reactors powered by Mars. The actual power comes from the metabolic process of the bacteria itself. Microorganisms generate electrons that are sent through an anode cathode resistance circuit and then generate electricity. Such batteries can be naturally charged because microorganisms have reproductive capabilities. This approach provides a good solution to the long-term power storage problems that currently plague solar exploration tasks. Scott said in a recent statement: "This research lays the foundation for the long-term development of low-power electronics in space and robotics applications." He concluded: "Microbial fuel cells plus low-power electronic devices To meet the energy requirements of robot systems, especially planetary robots."

The use of micro-organisms to generate electricity is not new. Many countries have been working on the development of microbial cells. The principle is to convert the chemical energy produced by microbes into electricity. Using microbial fermentation technology to provide the necessary raw materials for aerobic respiration of microorganisms, it is possible to multiply the microorganisms and perform aerobic respiration, and the enormous heat released by them can be used for power generation. The expected power generation mode of microbial power generation is gradually showing great potential.

At present, manned spacecrafts fly to heaven, and astronauts produce large amounts of excrement in space flight. Scientists are studying the use of "mud bacteria" microorganisms to turn these space wastes into treasure, that is, "mud bacteria" microorganisms "eat" human excreta, and produce electricity. The specific approach is to put this “mud bacteria” microorganism in a specially designed fuel cell. The fuel of this battery is not hydrogen but human excreta. After the “mud bacteria” devour the waste, the electrons are decomposed and the electrons are then transferred to the pole of the battery. When the electrons flow to the other pole of the battery, they collide with the current. If this idea can really become a reality, then not only the astronauts will benefit, but human excrement can become a waste. (Shang Li)

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