NASA/NSTA Web Seminar: Energy and a Sustainable Habitat LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP

Energy and Sustainable Habitats Anuradha Koratkar, Susan Hoban, Albert Hill, and Brendan Shaughnessy

Imagine… 6 astronauts, 6 months, the Moon –What will they need to have? –What resources will they already have? –How much energy will they need? –How will they generate this energy?

Solar Energy The study and use of solar energy is called photovoltaics from –Phos: Greek for “light” –Volta: Count Alessandro Volta created the first electric battery and is considered one of the fathers of electricity

History of Solar Energy Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in William Coblentz created the first solar cell in 1883.

Photovoltaics Light is composed of tiny particles called photons. An atom is a tiny nucleus and a relatively large electron cloud, so the photon usually hits an electron. Electrons may then have enough energy to separate from the atom.

What is the charge of the…? Photoelectron Remaining Atom Positive Negative

Classical Solar Energy Cell has a positive and negative coating A photon can excite an electron enough to flow as electricity The electricity is then conducted across a wire to power a load

Solar Energy on Earth The Earth’s atmosphere receives around 1350 watts per square meter North America receives about watts per square meter The Sun’s energy is reflected or absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere

What causes the energy from the Sun to be distributed across the Earth like this? Press *6 to unmute your phone

Solar Energy in Space Negligible atmospheric interference –In general, E sun =1366/d 2 How often is sunlight available?

Energy Flow SOURCESSINKS

Food and Water

Air Possible energy sinks –Heating/Cooling – kWh / month –Circulation – kWh / month –Filtration, Pressurization Can you think of more?

Other Sinks

How much energy does an average family of 4 use in the U.S? Poll Question:

Energy usage (kWh/month) Food Air Water

Energy usage (kWh/month) Equipment Habitat Miscellaneous

Your Solar Energy Farm If a 1 meter x 1 meter panel creates 30 kWh per month, what is the size of the energy farm? Stamp the picture that is closest to the size of the necessary solar array.

Where will you locate the solar farm on the Moon? Lunar days and nights are 14 days long. Are there locations with near continuous sunlight? Where are these locations and why do they exist? Is this near water resources?

Closed Ecosystems Ideally do not require or produce matter Usually do have energy inputs and outputs –Energy input ideally equals energy output Can you name any closed ecosystems? Press *6 to unmute your phone

Sustainable Habitats BIOS 3 –Crew of 3 –Longest mission was 180 days long Dried meats were introduced to the system Used algae to recycle oxygen Required 400 kW

Sustainable Habitats Biosphere 2

Sustainable Habitats Biosphere 2 –Located in Oracle, Arizona –Crew of 8 –Longest mission was 2 years long 1991 – 1993 Eventually required oxygen and other materials

System Requirements What are some other important considerations in designing a closed, sustainable habitat? Press *6 to unmute your phone

Thank you so much for participating in our web seminar! If you have any questions let us discuss them on the discussion listserv. Flavio will send you a link for you to subscribe.

National Science Teachers Association Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP NSTA Web Seminars Flavio Mendez, Program Manager Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator Judith Lopes, Administrative Assistant Susan Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator