Researchers create recipe for converting Mars soil into bricks
In China, researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have created a biobased material that could be used to 3D print houses on Mars. The “recipe” combines Martian rocks with gelatin and yeast brought from Earth. Once the mixture is dried and hardened, the building material is as strong as low-grade concrete. It can also be recycled for new structures.
The work is particularly noteworthy because the temperature on Mars can be –30°C, with atmospheric pressure of 0.01 atm—conditions similar to freeze-drying
“My inspiration came from freeze-dried fruits that become harder,” says civil engineer and senior author Jishen Qiu of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “So I asked myself if we can take advantage of that and make some materials.”
To create the printable material, Qiu used glue made from gelatin and specialized yeast engineered to produce highly adhesive proteins. The gelatin binds the ingredients together and provides a medium for the cells to grow, while the sand provides mass and structural support.
The researchers then tested the material under simulated Martian conditions. As the mixture is extruded through a nozzle, the extreme cold and low pressure freeze-dry it, causing water to freeze and transition directly from ice to vapor. This process leaves behind microscopic pores, giving the resulting material a lightweight, porous structure resembling foam. The findings were published recently in the peer-reviewed journal, Chem Circularity.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
