2021/07/27 by Eliazar Montemayor, Montemayor, Eliazar, Matthew Lewton +5
Energy · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Applied Physics (physics.app-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Geothermal Energy Systems and Applications #Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2107.12583
openalex publication_date 2021/07/27 · openalex created_date 2022/07/25 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
To take advantage of the distinctive nature of the lunar environment with respect to heat flow due to the low thermal conductivity of lunar soil and the moon's negligible atmosphere, thermoelectric generators have been identified as a potential power source to support self-sustaining processes on the lunar surface. These power-generating systems will take the form of top-down heat transfer systems, relying on soil as the heat sink to maintain significant temperature differentials. Installation of increasingly complex subsurface assemblies to redirect subsurface heat flow have demonstrated strong capability in both enhancing power output and limiting near-surface temperatures.