Processing of Lunar Regolith for Construction Activities via Multiple-Use Microwave Sources

Construction methodologies with lunar regolith have identified microwave power as a potential gamechanger because of its simplicity, versatility, and multiple-use capability. Recognizing the potential of a broader lunar “microwave economy” will help advance a host of operations on the moon, including construction. Recent advances in high-power solid-state microwave power generators (rather than the current magnetron-based technology) mean that alternative/green/intermittent sources of energy can be used for their operation. X-Hab 3D and research institute Penn State will examine the feasibility and applicability of multiple-use high-power microwave sources to support a range of lunar construction operations. We will develop a concept of operations for microwave power beaming from a central high-power microwave source to various systems. We will demonstrate via proof-of-concept the efficacy of high-power microwaves for several construction operations including microwave curing of lunar concrete, preprocessing of regolith, and smelting of regolith-derived ores for structural reinforcement of lunar concrete.

Leveraging high-power microwave sources as multiple-use for many applications will enable their exploitation form many lunar applications, including microwave power beaming for remote powering of rovers and sensors; beamed microwave for propulsion from the lunar surface; microwave heating of regolith to release water and other chemicals; plasma-based sterilization; cooking; microwave sintering of regolith for construction; microwave sintering of regolith-derived metals; enhanced curing of regolith-based concrete; and many others.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of concrete to create infrastructure is poised to transform the construction industry. There are limitations to the buildability and printability of concrete materials, and alternative methods to promote curing, such as high-power microwave, could revolutionize the shift to low-carbon cement and cement-free binders, including geopolymers.

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