Scientists have developed a way to create catalysts from materials found on Mars. This is important because humans need to produce oxygen on Mars, and catalysts are essential for this process. Transporting large and heavy equipment to Mars is challenging and expensive, so creating these catalysts directly on Mars using local materials is ideal.
A team of researchers in Hefei, China, has successfully developed a catalyst using materials available on Mars. They achieved this by utilizing a specially trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, which performed all necessary steps with minimal human intervention. The AI developed a formula for the catalyst, prepared the ore, synthesized the catalyst, and conducted tests after completion.
The researchers estimate that the automated process saved over 2,000 years of human labor, showcasing the remarkable efficiency of AI. Initially, the team developed an AI chemist robot capable of performing these tasks. This robot was based on earlier AI models that could read synthetic chemistry literature and assess the effectiveness of various chemical compounds.
The researchers selected five types of rocks from the Martian surface, estimating around 3.8 million possible combinations of elements within these rocks. The AI was tasked with choosing the right combination, supported by 30,000 theoretical datasets and results from 243 experiments. This resulted in a “polymetallic” material composed of manganese, iron, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, and calcium.
The AI then created a prototype of the catalyst. Equipped with a robotic arm, it took physical samples from meteorites dissolved in hydrochloric acid. The synthesis process involved extreme methods, such as centrifuging samples at 7,500 g for five minutes to separate the necessary materials, followed by drying the resulting material.
After synthesizing part of the material, the team tested the reduction process under Mars-like conditions, and the material performed excellently, similar to existing catalysts. Remarkably, the process occurred with little human involvement, demonstrating AI’s current capabilities.
While it’s uncertain if the developed catalyst will be used in the future, the fact that AI can solve complex technical problems and exhibit creativity is impressive. This development highlights the potential of AI in scientific and technological advancements.