Fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression
AssigneeTrans Astronautica Corporation
InventorsJames G. Small, Joel C. Sercel
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Abstract
Systems and methods for fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a chamber for sintering loose mineral material into solid ceramic shapes includes a plurality of zirconia insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and forming a cavity in which the mineral loose material is contained, and at least one dipole array configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material.
Claims18
A chamber for sintering mineral material into solid ceramic shapes, comprising:
- a cavity configured to contain the mineral material;
- a plurality of insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and within the cavity;
- a first dipole array positioned above the cavity;
- and
- a second dipole array positioned below the cavity,
- wherein the first and second dipole arrays are configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material while the insulating plates clamp the mineral material to sinter the mineral material into a solid ceramic, the first and second dipole arrays being spaced apart by a distance to provide for a standing wave of the microwave energy having maximum at a center of the cavity.
A method for sintering mineral material for use on the Moon, comprising:
- obtaining the mineral material from lunar regolith;
- applying electromagnetic wave heating simultaneously with mechanical pressure to the mineral material to form a solid ceramic component locally on the Moon;
- and
- constructing a habitat or a base on the Moon using the solid ceramic component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.