Reviewed by Lexie CornerNov 19 2024
An international team of scientists, including researchers from Heriot-Watt University, has revealed plans to develop an innovative method for harvesting solar energy in space.
The project aims to create technology capable of converting sunlight directly into laser beams, allowing energy transmission across long distances, such as between satellites, from satellites to lunar bases, or even to Earth. This concept draws inspiration from the natural process of photosynthesis, where plants, bacteria, and other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy. Utilizing natural photosynthetic structures will be key to advancing this laser-based technology.
If successful, this method could help space agencies power future missions, such as lunar bases and Mars expeditions. It could also have applications in wireless power transmission on Earth and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
The APACE project is jointly funded by the European Innovation Council and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. It brings together researchers from the UK, Italy, Germany, and Poland to develop a new type of solar-powered laser aimed at providing reliable and efficient energy for satellites and future space missions.
The system uses light-harvesting antennas from certain photosynthetic bacteria, which are highly effective at capturing ambient solar energy and directing it to a specific target as part of their natural photosynthetic processes.
The team plans to first demonstrate the concept in laboratory settings before progressing to tests and adjustments for use in space environments.
The research will begin by isolating and examining the natural light-harvesting systems of specific bacteria adapted to low-light conditions. These bacteria have specialized molecular antennae capable of efficiently capturing and directing photons, making them effective solar collectors in nature.
The team will also develop artificial versions of these structures, along with new laser materials compatible with both natural and synthetic light harvesters. These components will be integrated into a novel laser material and tested in progressively larger systems.
Unlike traditional semiconductor solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, this bio-inspired system is based on a sustainable organic platform with potential for use in space. This approach enables direct power transfer without requiring an electrical intermediary.
Professor Erik Gauger, from the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, is overseeing the theoretical modeling aspects of the project.
Sustainable generation of power in space, without relying on perishable components sent from Earth, represents a big challenge. Yet, living organisms are experts at being self-sufficient and harnessing self-assembly. Our project not only takes biological inspiration but goes one step beyond by piggybacking on functionality that already exists in the photosynthetic machinery of bacteria to achieve a breakthrough in space power.
Erik Gauger, Professor, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
Prof. Erik Gauger adds: “Our APACE project aims to create a new type of laser powered by sunlight. Regular sunlight is usually too weak to power a laser directly, but these special bacteria are incredibly efficient at collecting and channeling sunlight through their intricately designed light-harvesting structures, which can effectively amplify the energy flux from sunlight to the reaction center by several orders of magnitude. Our project will make use of this level of amplification to convert sunlight into a laser beam without relying on electrical components.”
We already know it is possible to grow bacteria in space, for example, through studies on the International Space Station. Some tough bacteria have even survived exposure to open space! If our new technology can be built and used on space stations, it could help to generate power locally and even offer a route to sending power to satellites or back to Earth using infrared laser beams.
Erik Gauger, Professor, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
“This technology has the potential to revolutionize how we power space operations, making exploration more sustainable while also advancing clean energy technology here on Earth. All major space agencies have lunar or Mars missions in their plans, and we hope to help power them,” concluded Prof. Erik Gauger.
The research team anticipates completing the first prototype for testing within three years.