Materials science meets space resources research!

My experience in the space industry, introduced me into the emerging field of In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU); this concept broadly refers to the practice of using local materials and resources at a mission destination (e.g., the Moon), to produce useful products and services, such as water, oxygen, fuel, and materials for construction and manufacturing.

I recognised that most ISRU research is dominated by large-scale engineering approaches, while the contribution of materials science and physical chemistry has been comparatively limited. However, in my view, understanding the fundamental behaviour of extraterrestrial materials, across multiple scales (from building blocks to the macroscopic material) is critical for enabling viable ISRU technologies.

At ESRIC, I carry out research that aims to:

i) develop an in-depth understanding of space-derived materials and ii) build on this knowledge to design processing routes and advanced materials for ISRU

More specifically, my current research focuses on

i) the characterisation of the surface properties of lunar regolith (simulants)

ii) the interaction of regolith (simulants) with liquids

iii) the development of regolith-based composites for dust mitigation