Jell-O and Beer May Hold the Keys to Brewing Houses on Mars
The yeast used won’t brew beer, but it can help brew a building.
A new study published in Chem Circularity suggests that Jell-O and beer could be the key ingredients for building houses on Mars. Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have discovered a method to create low-grade concrete using gelatin, yeast, and Martian sand. The process involves freeze-drying the mixture due to Mars' cold, low-pressure environment, turning it into a porous, foam-like material strong enough for construction.
The gelatin used is the same type found in Jell-O, and the yeast is specially engineered to function like mussels attaching to rocks. This innovative method produces concrete with a pressure measurement of 10 to 12 megapascals, equivalent to low-grade concrete on Earth. Once the structures are no longer needed, they can be broken down and mixed with the yeast to create new buildings on Mars.
This breakthrough could revolutionize the way we approach living on the red planet, providing a sustainable solution for housing that can withstand extreme temperatures and lack of radiation protection.
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