Wherever humans travel, oxygen is essential. On long space missions, like on the International Space Station (ISS), oxygen is either carried from Earth or made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis. But in space, microgravity creates a big problem—gas bubbles formed during electrolysis cling to electrodes instead of floating away. This reduces efficiency and demands complex solutions.

Now, scientists from Germany, the UK, and the US have discovered a simpler approach, using magnets. In their experiments, they tested powerful neodymium magnets during electrolysis under simulated microgravity. The results were promising: the magnetic field helped gas bubbles detach faster, increasing the efficiency of oxygen and hydrogen production by more than 20% in most cases. In some setups, the efficiency jumped by an impressive 240%.

This method could make oxygen production in space lightweight, energy-efficient, and reliable. The findings pave the way for future space missions, where astronauts might depend on magnets for a steady supply of breathable air.