For a long time, Mars colonization has been regarded as a futuristic scenario in science fiction novels. However, with continuous advancements in Mars exploration technology, this vision is gradually becoming feasible. Scientists are dedicated to researching how to autonomously construct buildings on Mars to cope with extreme environmental conditions. Dr. Congrui Grace Jin and her team from Texas A&M University have made significant progress in this field.
Dr. Jin and her colleagues have focused on bio-manufacturing engineered living materials for many years. They have developed an innovative synthetic lichen system that can form building materials without external intervention. This research achievement has been published in the Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and is planned for application in autonomously building Mars structures using Martian regolith (including dust, sand, and rocks).
Dr. Jin explained: "We can build a synthetic community by mimicking natural lichens. This synthetic lichen can produce biomaterials that bind Martian regolith particles into structures, and through 3D printing technology, a variety of structures can be constructed, such as buildings, houses, and furniture."
Compared to previous bonding methods that required substantial human assistance, Dr. Jin's team's technology offers significant advantages. They designed a completely autonomous self-growing technology utilizing a synthetic community that leverages the advantages of multiple species, without the need for external nutrient supplies. This system employs heterotrophic filamentous fungi as bonding material producers, paired with photoautotrophic diazotrophic cyanobacteria to form the synthetic lichen system. The system grows using only Martian regolith simulant, air, light, and an inorganic liquid medium, requiring no human intervention.
Professor Jin stated: "This self-growing technology has enormous potential for achieving long-term extraterrestrial exploration and colonization." Her team is currently conducting the next phase of research: developing regolith-based ink using direct ink writing 3D printing technology to print biological structures.
Dr. Congrui Grace Jin is an assistant professor in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology program at Texas A&M University's Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. Her colleagues include Dr. Richard Wilson, Nisha Rokaya, and Erin Carl from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Their research achievement is expected to provide strong support for future Mars colonization and extraterrestrial construction.
