The research and technology interests of the Space Chemistry Division are wholly centered on extending the boundaries of chemistry to enable new discoveries that meet the needs of industry and benefit humankind. The Space Chemistry Division is an interdisciplinary community, uniting engineers from different fields, scientists investigating both the micro-scale (biochemists), and macro-scale (space scientists). The harmonized work of the above mentioned experts will result in outstanding achievements that are likely to have a global impact and interest.
What has chemistry done so far?
- Through astronomy using spectroscopy chemical composition of various heavenly bodies was determined.
- Chemistry made possible the determination of soil on the Moon and Mars.
- Special structural materials were created for space probes.
- Rocket fuels and compatible oxidizers were developed.
Research and technology interest within the Division
- Active use of the unique conditions of space (microgravity environment, high intensity UV, vacuum, low temperature as examples) for chemical reactions.
- Profiting from the unique discoveries of other fields related to space sciences.
- Combining and adapting reactors, analytical, and purification systems towards performing chemistry safely in space.
- To develop the ability to conduct experiments in space locally or remotely from Earth.
- To standardize all aspects of a chemistry laboratory for operation in space.
- Research into prolonging manned space missions through chemical conversion of waste products to useful and essential materials.
- Generation of on-demand pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in space.
- Utilization of natural resources on alien planets towards colonization.
Considered topics
- Exploration of chemistry to be performed using the extremities of space.
- Drug on demand synthesis in a microgravity environment.
- Methods for conversion of CO2 to useful materials for long term space travel and colonization.
- Development of technologies for synthesis, purification, and analysis of chemicals in a microgravity environment.
