Mars astronauts could live in houses made of yeast and jello, say scientists
Low-energy 3D printing could turn Martian dirt into sturdy structures
If humans ever embark on a mission to Mars, they may require suitable housing for their stay. According to a research paper published by scientists from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, one potential solution is to construct shelters using yeast and gelatin. This method circumvents the energy-intensive process of heating Martian soil (regolith) to create building materials.
The researchers utilized bioengineered yeast that produces adhesive proteins, combined with artificial gelatin and Martian soil, and 3D printed structures using this mixture. The resulting substance is foamy and freeze-dries upon exposure to the Martian atmosphere, resulting in a light yet strong material. The hardened material demonstrated compressive and flexural strengths comparable to low-grade terrestrial concrete.
The key advantage of this technique is its minimal energy demand, approximately one to two orders of magnitude less than heat-processing regolith. The researchers tested tiny beehive-shaped structures measuring 45mm in height, and although they are unsure whether the yeast cells would survive the harsh conditions of Mars, they remain optimistic about scaling up the technology.
However, further testing is needed to ensure the yeast-gelatin building foam can maintain the necessary pressure to protect humans from the Martian environment. The paper suggests that a practical habitat on Mars would likely need a hybrid architecture, combining yeast foam and traditional structures to address various requirements such as pressure retention, gas tightness, thermal regulation, radiation shielding, dust protection, repairability, and resource recycling.
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