Bengaluru soil bacteria could help build bricks on Mars: Study
The quest to colonize Mars has been a longstanding goal for space agencies and scientists around the world. However, one of the major challenges in establishing a human settlement on the Red Planet is the lack of infrastructure and building materials. Transporting construction materials from Earth is a costly and impractical solution, which is why researchers have been exploring alternative methods to build structures on Mars. A recent study published in PLOS One has shed light on a novel approach to building on Mars, utilizing a soil bacterium discovered in Bengaluru, India.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, reveals that a specific type of soil bacterium found in Bengaluru can bind Martian soil into strong bricks. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for future Mars missions, as it could potentially reduce the need to transport construction materials from Earth.
The researchers used a type of bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is commonly found in soil and has the ability to produce calcite, a natural cement. When mixed with Martian soil, the bacterium can bind the particles together, creating a strong and stable brick-like structure. The team tested the bacterium’s ability to bind Martian soil simulant, a material that mimics the properties of Martian soil, and found that it could produce bricks with a compressive strength of up to 50 MPa, which is comparable to that of regular bricks used on Earth.
The process of creating these microbial bricks is relatively simple. The Martian soil simulant is first mixed with a nutrient-rich solution that promotes the growth of the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium. The mixture is then left to incubate for a period of time, allowing the bacterium to produce calcite and bind the soil particles together. The resulting brick-like structure can be used as a building material for construction on Mars.
The use of microbial bricks has several advantages over traditional building materials. For one, it eliminates the need to transport heavy construction materials from Earth, which is a significant cost savings. Additionally, the microbial bricks can be produced in situ, using local Martian resources, which reduces the reliance on external materials. The bricks are also environmentally friendly, as they are produced using a natural and non-toxic process.
The discovery of the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium’s ability to bind Martian soil has significant implications for future Mars missions. NASA’s Artemis program, for example, aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface by 2024 and eventually send humans to Mars in the 2030s. The use of microbial bricks could play a crucial role in establishing a reliable and sustainable building material for these missions.
The research team, led by IISc and IISER-Kolkata, has been working on this project for several years, with ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla providing valuable insights and expertise. The study was published in the journal PLOS One, a renowned international journal that publishes high-quality research in the fields of science and technology.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium’s ability to bind Martian soil into strong bricks is a significant breakthrough in the field of space exploration. The use of microbial bricks could potentially reduce the need to transport construction materials from Earth, making it a game-changer for future Mars missions. As researchers continue to explore the possibilities of using microbial bricks in space construction, we may soon see the establishment of sustainable human settlements on the Red Planet.
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