Building residential structures on Mars may not require the use of cement, steel, or bricks. Researchers are testing a completely different composition: rocks from the planet itself, mixed with gelatin and genetically modified yeast. The proposal is to transform this mixture into a material for 3D printing that can be produced with lower energy costs, disassembled, and reused in new constructions.
This concept was presented in a study published on Thursday (10) in the journal Chem Circularity. The material combines rock particles, which serve as the structural basis, with gelatin and a specific type of yeast. Together, these components form a mixture that can be shaped using a 3D printer and hardened under conditions similar to the Martian surface.
The yeast used by the researchers was genetically modified to produce highly adhesive proteins. The idea was inspired by mussels, which are capable of strongly adhering to rocks. Gelatin, in turn, helps hold the components together and creates a favorable environment for the cells. Thus, the combination functions as a kind of biological glue for mineral particles.
After the mixture exits the printer nozzle, the cold environment and low pressure, simulated by the researchers, trigger a process analogous to lyophilization. Water freezes and transitions directly from solid to vapor. This leads to the formation of small voids inside the material, creating a light and porous structure, similar to solidified foam.
During the experiments, the team managed to create small domes only 45 millimeters high and 30 millimeters wide. Even at this reduced scale, the material demonstrated a compressive strength ranging from 10 to 12 megapascals. This figure is comparable to the strength of low-strength concretes and indicates that the mixture is capable of withstanding significant loads.
However, strength is not the only characteristic that attracted attention. Producing such a material may also require less energy than some alternatives being studied for extraterrestrial construction. One such alternative is heating or melting Martian rocks and dust to turn them into bricks or other elements. These processes would require a huge amount of thermal energy, which is a particularly valuable resource for a future Martian base.
According to the statement, the new approach attempts to solve this problem by utilizing biology and the conditions of Mars itself. Instead of relying on kilns to convert raw materials, this technology employs microorganisms and the planet's intense cold during material formation. This does not mean that construction will be simple, but it opens up another possibility for reducing the required energy.
Another important aspect is the possibility of reuse. Structures can be disassembled and processed again, and the restored yeast can be cultured in bioreactors to obtain new batches of material. On a base located far from Earth, this ability to recycle resources will be especially important, as disposing of or replacing materials can be much more difficult.
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Nevertheless, turning this experiment into a technology for building houses on Mars is still far from reality. Tests were conducted on Earth under conditions that only replicate some characteristics of Mars. The team still needs to determine whether the yeast can survive and function normally in the actual planetary conditions, including prolonged exposure to radiation, extreme cold, and low pressure.
There is also a limitation that the technique does not eliminate: dependence on components sent from Earth. Although rocks can be mined locally, the recipe still requires gelatin and genetically modified yeast. A real mission would require transporting these ingredients or developing ways to produce them from available Martian resources.
Therefore, this research should be viewed as a conceptual proof, not as a ready-made recipe for building houses on the Red Planet. Before practical application, trials in more realistic conditions, the creation of much larger structures, and the study of material durability will be necessary.