Mars Oxygen Generation/CO2 Capture System Using Algae

The current mainstream idea for oxygen production on Mars is an electrolysis system, which has inefficiencies and produces the dangerous byproduct of hydrogen. This inefficiency would not be ideal for the long-term well-being of Martian settlers. My research aims to develop a novel and more resource-sustainable system that utilizes in-situ Martian carbon dioxide to create oxygen. The system uses algae to create this oxygen, as it is a very efficient photosynthetic organism. It is the intent of this research that the resulting algae oxygen production system designed under these conditions might serve as a reliable, sustainable, efficient, and/or independent oxygen production source for a future Martian colony.

See my research website for more technical details: https://gaiserkara.wixsite.com/kara-gaiser-mars

Honors and Awards:
2022:
- 4th Place Internationally, Grand Award in Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair)
- Best of Fair Patty Jeanne Semura Award (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- 1st Place Engineering: Bioengineering and Materials (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- ISEF Finalist

2021:
- 3rd Place Internationally, Grand Award in Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair)
- Honorable Mention in Engineering: Bioengineering and Materials (Northwest Science Exposition)
- Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science (Northwest Science Exposition)
- Best of Fair Patty Jeanne Semura Award (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- 1st Place Engineering: Bioengineering and Materials (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- NASA Earth System Science Award (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- ISEF Finalist

2020:
- 1st Place Plant Sciences (Northwest Science Exposition)
- 2nd Prize Internationally (National Space Society Space Settlement Contest)
- 3rd Place Plant Sciences (Aardvark Science Exposition)

2019:
- 3rd Place Microbiology (Northwest Science Exposition)
- 3rd Place Microbiology (Aardvark Science Exposition)
- NASA Earth System Science Award (Aardvark Science Exposition)