PolyU conducts successful catalyst material experiments in Low Earth Orbit

PolyU conducts successful catalyst material experiments in Low Earth Orbit
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 26, 2024

The Shijian-19 satellite, China's first reusable and returnable satellite, has completed its mission and returned to Earth, carrying a variety of experimental payloads. Among these was the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's (PolyU) in-orbit material experiment testbed, a milestone as Hong Kong's first reusable experimental payload to return from space. The China National Space Administration formally handed over the payloads at a ceremony in Beijing on October 24, marking the success of this significant mission.

The testbed, led by Prof. Daniel Lau, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of PolyU's Department of Applied Physics, was developed in collaboration with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Designed and manufactured at PolyU's Industrial Centre, the entire process - from research to production - was carried out on the university's campus.

This innovative project examines how microgravity, vacuum, and radiation affect high-performance catalysts, aiming to advance the development of space-compatible materials for producing fuels, oxygen, and chemicals. The payload's design prioritizes efficient radiation exposure rates and material penetrability, enabling reusable operations without replacing core components. This reusability reduces costs for future space experiments.

Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, praised the team's efforts, stating, "PolyU has been actively contributing to various national space projects. We are thrilled to see PolyU's independently developed and produced in-orbit material experiment testbed aboard the Shijian-19 satellite, demonstrating the University's research strength in interdisciplinary fields that include deep space exploration, materials science, and engineering. We look forward to fostering further research innovation and contributing to the Nation's goal of becoming a global leader in aerospace and technology."

The catalyst testing system builds on Prof. Lau's earlier work on the APMA system, designed for carbon dioxide electroreduction. This system converts CO2 into ethylene, offering potential solutions for industrial applications and carbon emission reduction. The research has already led to partnerships with industry leaders and won a gold medal at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. Prof. Lau's collaboration with other PolyU researchers, including Prof. Yung Kai-leung, director of PolyU's Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), was inspired during the Geneva awards ceremony. Prof. Lau remarked, "Prof. Yung's team suggested that my new catalyst could be applied to deep space exploration. We returned to the University and immediately began exploring the collaboration, conducting multiple tests on campus before the testbed was finally sent into space."

The retrieved testbed is now undergoing detailed analysis at PolyU. Prof. Lau noted, "The team hopes to explore the effects of space environments on different materials, which could provide new insights for future deep space exploration missions."

PolyU's RCDSE continues to spearhead innovative research in areas such as materials science, microbiology, lunar base construction technologies, and space resource utilization. The centre's contributions include work on microsatellites and CubeSats, demonstrating its expansive capabilities in deep space exploration. PolyU remains committed to playing a vital role in major national space initiatives.