Assessing the potential of resource extraction and utilisation of lunar and terrestrial materials through microwave processing

Project highlights:

• Application of microwave processing to lunar and terrestrial materials for the extraction of critical resources
• Evaluation of the resource potential of microwaved material in the context of ISRU, zero waste activities, sustainable behaviours, and a circular economy ethos.
• Contributing towards the development of future ISRU payload developments for lunar missions

Project description:

The emerging era of lunar exploration aims to develop a more sustainable approach, which would require careful planning, preparation, and execution of surface operations, utilising the available resources on-site efficiently, while minimising the impact on the local lunar environment. To realise this vision, significant technological developments are taking place for lunar in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) [1], mainly utilising terrestrial analogues. However, the aspects of lunar ISRU research could be of immediate relevance to terrestrial applications, such as in the extractive minerals sector, which faces many similar challenges. Thus, a synergistic approach involving lunar ISRU research with potential terrestrial applications could make contributions to areas such as critical raw materials and the circular economy.

The most readily available resource at the Moon is the regolith, which could provide a feedstock for the extraction of life-supporting elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, as well as metals and other materials beneficial to construction activities,such as 3D printed habitats, tools, and other structures [2]. Techniques are being developed to handle, process, and utilise the entirety of lunar regolith so that it produces zero waste. A comparable need exists on Earth in the minerals sector where traditionally, a large amount of ‘waste’ is produced in extracting the target commodities(s), leaving a large ‘footprint’ that is often environmentally damaging and sometimes poses a danger to local communities. Thus, there is a tremendous potential for applying some of the techniques developed for lunar ISRU to the remediation of historic mine ‘waste’, and integration into current and future mining operations to improve the sustainability of mineral extraction whilst enabling cross-fertilisation of ideas between practitioners in the space sector and terrestrial mining processing and manufacturing industries.

The project will involve carrying out a series of experiments on mine ‘waste’ from historic metal mines in the UK and on lunar simulants, mimicking a range of future landing sites on the Moon. Experiments involving actual lunar samples are also envisaged during the later stages of the PhD. Results from this work have the potential to feed directly into our ongoing work on the Microwave Heating Demonstrator (MHD) payload for ISRU applications on the Moon.

Requirements: An ideal candidate would have an MSc degree in Earth Science or a closely related discipline/field. Any prior research experience (either in academia or industry) in using laboratory instrumentation (e.g. SEM, XRF, XRD, ICP-MS), commonly employed for geological research would be an advantage.

How to apply

If you would like to apply then please read the guidance on applying for a PhD studentship here and e-mail the following to STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk by the application deadline 23rd January 2025 :

• a completed Application form UK if you are classed as a home student, or Application form non-UK if you are an international student.
• an up to date CV.
• a list of individual courses taken and grades obtained.
• a personal statement.
• any other relevant information that you think may support your case for consideration.

You do not need to submit a research proposal, as it is already defined by us. You are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor of the project(s) for any informal enquiries.

Interviews will take place remotely on 5-7 February 2025. 

Advice and Guidance

Please contact STEM-SPS-PHD@open.ac.uk with any questions about general administration, eligibility, suitability, funding or the nature of the PhD research. Our PhD administrators Debbie Briggs/Charlotte Coakley and postgraduate research tutor Richard Greenwood will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you have questions about specific projects, please contact the lead supervisor named on the project.

We are committed to widening participation and awarding PhD studentships to a diverse community of applicants. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. Equal Opportunity is University policy.