| 04-M30-MP-2555 | Durchführbarkeit des Haber-Bosch Prozesses für die Ammoniasynthese unter Mars Bedingungen (in englischer Sprache) The Haber-Bosch process is an indispensable part of the modern chemical industry, enabling large scale ammonia production particularly for fertilizers. Its potential (…) The Haber-Bosch process is an indispensable part of the modern chemical industry, enabling large scale ammonia production particularly for fertilizers. Its potential implementation on Mars is of significant interest for supporting long-term human exploration through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This literature based project investigates the feasibility of deploying Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis under Martian environmental conditions, with a particular focus on comparing key process parameters between Earth and Mars.
Students will systematically analyze differences in nitrogen availability, hydrogen sourcing, operating pressure, temperature requirements, and overall energy demand. The Martian atmosphere, composed predominantly of CO₂ and only about 2 % nitrogen, presents significant challenges for nitrogen extraction and compression. In contrast to Earth, where hydrogen is primarily derived from fossil fuels, Martian hydrogen production relies on energy-intensive water electrolysis from sub surface ice deposits or hydrated minerals. With the core reaction conditions of the Haber-Bosch process remaining unchanged, the additional energy requirements associated with gas capture, purification, and high-pressure compression are expected to substantially increase the total system energy demand on Mars. The project will further evaluate potential energy sources, including solar power, and assess their suitability for sustaining ammonia production. | Prof. Dr. Katharina Brinkert |
| 04-M30-MP-2552 | Elektrochemische CO2 Reduktion im Weltraum: Vom Abfallprodukt zur Treibstoff- und Lebenserhaltungssystemressource (in englischer Sprache) Crewed spacecraft and surface habitats continuously produce CO₂ as a metabolic byproduct, which must either be scrubbed and vented or actively converted into useful (…) Crewed spacecraft and surface habitats continuously produce CO₂ as a metabolic byproduct, which must either be scrubbed and vented or actively converted into useful products. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) offers a dual benefit: removing a cabin atmosphere contaminant while producing valuable chemicals such as carbon monoxide, methane, formate, or methanol that can serve as fuel precursors or feedstocks for further synthesis. This literature project examines the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ as a component of a closed-loop life support and ISRU strategy, with particular attention to how microgravity and the CO₂-rich Martian atmosphere alter the design requirements relative to terrestrial systems.
Students will survey catalyst materials and selectivity for relevant CO₂RR products, review existing space-heritage carbon dioxide removal systems such as the Sabatier reactor on the ISS, and assess how an electrochemical approach compares in terms of mass, power consumption, and product flexibility. Simple Faradaic efficiency and power budget calculations will be performed to estimate the CO₂ conversion rate achievable within the electrical power envelope of a Mars surface habitat. The project will equip students to critically evaluate CO₂RR as a candidate technology for integration into future closed-loop planetary life support architectures. | Prof. Dr. Katharina Brinkert |
| 04-M30-MP-2551 | Kreisläufige Lebenserhaltungssysteme für die Weltraumerforschung (in englischer Sprache) The C.R.O.P (Combined Regenerative Organic Food Production) technology was based on sustainable practices that integrate circular resource use into space systems. This (…) The C.R.O.P (Combined Regenerative Organic Food Production) technology was based on sustainable practices that integrate circular resource use into space systems. This system relied on natural biological processes, where micro-organisms convert components of urine into plant fertilizers. These fertilizers are then used to grow crops in controlled environments, contributing to food production while simultaneously managing waste. This integration of waste recycling and agriculture aimed to reduce the need for continuous resupply from Earth, which is one of the major challenges in space exploration. Developed and demonstrated in experiments such as the Eu: CROPIS mission by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), this approach focused on converting human waste into a usable fertilizer for plant cultivation. Rather than treating waste as a disposal problem, C.R.O.P utilized it as a valuable resource, aligning with the principles of closed-loop life support systems that are essential for long-duration extra-terrestrial missions to the Mars.
In this project, students will analyse how systems like C.R.O.P function, compare them with other existing space fertilizer development strategies, and assess their advantages and limitations in space environments. They will also be encouraged to think creatively by proposing simple conceptual designs for closed-loop fertilizer systems tailored to Martian habitats. By the end of the project, students will have developed the ability to critically engage with interdisciplinary research and appreciate the role of sustainable technologies in shaping the future of space exploration. | Prof. Dr. Katharina Brinkert |
| 04-M30-MP-2553 | Lichtassistierte Wasserstoffproduktion auf der Mond- und Marsoberfläche: Eine Ressourcen- und Powerbudgetanalyse (in englischer Sprache) In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars relies on the ability to generate and store chemical energy from locally available resources, most notably (…) In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars relies on the ability to generate and store chemical energy from locally available resources, most notably water ice and solar irradiance. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photovoltaic-coupled electrolysis (PV-E) systems have been proposed as compact, scalable routes to producing hydrogen and oxygen from surface water without continuous resupply from Earth. This literature project compares PEC and PV-E architectures for solar hydrogen production under extraterrestrial conditions, examining how reduced solar flux, dust accumulation, and day-night cycles constrain system design on the lunar surface versus Mars.
Students will survey efficiency benchmarks reported for state-of-the-art PEC devices under terrestrial and simulated space conditions and assess how radiation degradation of semiconductor photoelectrodes impacts long-term performance. Back-of-envelope calculations will quantify the required solar collector area, electrolyser power rating, and hydrogen storage volume to sustain oxygen production for a four-person surface habitat over a 500-day mission at both locations. The project provides students with an integrated perspective on the interdependencies between solar energy conversion, electrochemistry, and ISRU mission architecture. | Prof. Dr. Katharina Brinkert |
| 04-M30-MP-2554 | Thermisches Management von elektrochemischen Systemen in der Weltraumumgebung (in englischer Sprache) Electrochemical systems such as water electrolysers and fuel cells are critical components of closed-loop life support systems for long-duration space missions. On (…) Electrochemical systems such as water electrolysers and fuel cells are critical components of closed-loop life support systems for long-duration space missions. On Earth, convective heat dissipation passively assists thermal regulation. In microgravity, the absence of natural convection fundamentally alters heat and mass transfer at electrochemical interfaces. This literature project investigates thermal management strategies for electrochemical energy systems operating under space-relevant conditions, including microgravity, Lunar, and Martian surface environments. Students will review how the operating temperature affects the electrolyser efficiency, membrane durability, and electrolyte conductivity, and compare passive versus active thermal control approaches applicable to spacecraft volume and mass constraints.
Simple steady-state heat balance calculations will be performed to estimate acceptable operating power envelopes under representative mission scenarios (ISS, Lunar Gateway, Mars surface habitat). By the end of the project, students will be able to quantitively assess the feasibility of electrochemical life support components under thermal constraints and propose design guidelines for thermally robust space electrochemical systems. | Prof. Dr. Katharina Brinkert |
