Schonberg part of $2 million NASA research project

Researchers at Missouri S&T will develop mineral extraction techniques for lunar construction as part of a NASA project to make it possible for people to live and work on the moon. NASA will provide up to $2M over two years to support S&T’s research.

Dr. William Schonberg, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, will join Dr. Leslie Gertsch, associate professor of geological engineering, and the rest of the team to coordinate S&T’s efforts to use electrostatic and magnetic extraction techniques to separate anorthite from lunar soil known as regolith. Anorthite is a type of feldspar – a group of minerals that are found in rocks all over the world and make up more than 50% of the Earth’s surface. Anorthite contains calcium and magnesium needed to make parts for manufacturing equipment, which NASA believes is more efficient than launching supplies from Earth.

Missouri S&T is one of three universities selected for different aspects of the project. As S&T’s team develops mineral extraction processes, a team from Colorado School of Mines will develop tools and methods that will allow robots to build landing pads and living quarters. A team from Auburn University will create new electronics that maintain reliability despite the lunar environment’s extreme cold.

El-adaway talks solar energy

What is the cost of installing residential solar energy systems?

That was the question posed at a roundtable discussion held in February.

Missouri S&T’s Dr. Islam El-adaway, the Michael and Barbara Hurst-McCarthy Professor, along with other state experts, discussed how homeowners could make the transition. They discussed the science, benefits and cost of. solar energy infrastructure and how it’s being used to respond to climate change.

Website: mostpolicyinitiative.org/events/ roundtable-discussion-solar-energyin-missouri/