TOP HONORS FROM NASA

CHALLENGED TO DEVISE A WAY TO EXTRACT AND FORGE METAL ON THE MOON, A TEAM OF UNIVERSITY OF UTAH STUDENTS WON TOP HONORS IN A NASASPONSORED COMPETITION WITH THEIR PROPOSAL FOR REFINING IRON THAT IS ABUNDANT AT THE LUNAR SURFACE.

The group, led by graduate research assistant in metallurgical engineering John Otero and engineering graduate student Collin Andersen, adapted a century-old process known as carbonyl iron refining, or CIR, for use in a lunar environment with its non-existent atmosphere, freezing temperatures and low gravity. They proposed using a two-chamber process in which a reactive gas phase concentrates disparate iron particles into a powder. That product is more than 98 percent iron with properties favorable for additive manufacturing, according to their presentation.

“There were multiple times we came close to scrapping the concept, but each time we found the strength to go a little further,” said Andersen, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering. “This honor has validated the perseverance, effort, and dedication of exploring an innovative and applied idea.” <