Researchers at Bangor University in Wales have developed small nuclear fuel cells that could be used to power “micro nuclear generators” and sustain life on the Moon for long periods of time.

The team of researchers has been working in partnership with UK-based engineering giant Rolls-Royce to develop a source of energy that could sustain long stays on the Moon.

Professor Simon Middleburgh from the university’s Nuclear Futures Institute said the team hoped to fully test the nuclear fuel “over the next few months”.

He told the BBC his team have just sent the tiny nuclear fuel cell, known as a Trisofuel, to their partners for testing.