The Charter School of Wilmington is proud to celebrate CSW Junior Chris Liu, who recently turned his Science Fair research into a published paper in Frontiers in Space Technologies. His work focuses on developing energy storage solutions that could help support future missions to Mars by using resources already found on the planet.
Chris has been interested in space for as long as he can remember. While exploring the history of NASA, he found inspiration in the story of engineer John Houbolt, whose idea of lunar orbit rendezvous helped shape the Apollo missions. Houbolt’s willingness to challenge traditional thinking encouraged Chris to look at space exploration from a different perspective. That mindset led him to focus on In Situ Resource Utilization, or ISRU, a concept centered on using local planetary materials instead of relying on supplies transported from Earth.
His research explores alternative battery technology designed to operate in extremely cold environments like Mars. By studying how materials such as iron and perchlorate salts could be used for energy storage, Chris’s work highlights new ways scientists might approach long term exploration beyond Earth.
While the research itself was complex, Chris says the most difficult part of the journey was overcoming his own doubts. As a high school student entering the professional research world, he initially questioned whether his work would be taken seriously. The peer review process ultimately changed that perspective. Editors provided thoughtful feedback and treated him as a fellow researcher, an experience he described as both "encouraging and motivating."
Chris also recognizes how fortunate he has been to have access to lab space and support along the way. He hopes other CSW students will pursue the things they are passionate about, whether through clubs, competitions, or leadership opportunities. Showing genuine curiosity and commitment, he believes, is often what leads to new opportunities.
This achievement reflects the kind of curiosity and drive that define the Charter community. By transforming a Science Fair idea into a published scientific paper, Chris Liu is helping show how student research at CSW can reach well beyond the classroom and contribute to conversations about the future of space exploration.
Read the full publication here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/space-technologies/articles/10.3389/frspt.2026.1751787/full