China has developed a technology that enables breathing on Mars

Tengrinews.kz – Chinese scientists have developed a new method for obtaining oxygen from carbon dioxide, achieving a conversion efficiency of 98 percent, according to Ixbt.com.

Instead of traditionally used hydrogen, lithium was applied as a catalyst.

The process takes place in an electrochemical cell with a ruthenium-cobalt nanocatalyst. Carbon dioxide is converted into lithium carbonate, then into carbon and lithium oxide. In the final stage, lithium oxide decomposes, releasing oxygen and regenerating lithium for reuse.

This technology has a wide range of applications on Earth, from industrial emission processing and air purification to use in underwater vehicles.

It is especially promising for use on Mars, where the atmosphere consists almost entirely of carbon dioxide. Producing oxygen on-site would significantly simplify future Mars missions by reducing the need for its delivery from Earth.