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Future Mars settlers have to rely on local resources and many human workers to make a colony on the red planet sustainably. | Credit: Pat Rawlings/NASA
In a potential milestone for space research, scientists have successfully grown algae under simulated Mars conditions, using devices from biodegradable bioplastic-one step, which could bring long-term room colonization closer to reality.
As an interest in human missions on Mars, scientists are growing on how to maintain life in space, without constant revival from the earth. A team of researchers under the direction of Robin Wordsworth from Harvard University showed that green algae not only survive, but also thrive in bioplastic chambers to imitate the extreme environment of the red planet.
“If you have a habitat that is made up of biplastic and grows algae in it, algae could create more biplastic,” said Wordsworth in a statement. “So you have a closed system with a closed circuit that can be preserved and even grow through time.”
Wordsworth and his team cultivated in laboratory tests a common type of green algae, which were called Dunaliella Tertiolecta In a 3D printed chamber made of polylactic acid, a biodegradable plastic that comes from natural sources. The chamber was developed to replicate the thin carbon dioxide -rich atmosphere of Mars, which has a surface pressure of less than 1% of the earth.
Despite these extreme conditions, the algae were able to carry out photosynthesis.
“We have shown that habitable conditions in extraterrestrial environments can only be maintained organically produced materials,” the researchers wrote in a paper that was published in the magazine Science Advances at the beginning of this month. “The results reported here represent an important step forward, but many additional steps are required so that robust ecosystems can last long -term beyond the earth.”
Wordsworth and his team attribute the success of the experiment by the bioplastic chamber, which protected the algae from harmful ultraviolet radiation and at the same time had sufficient light penetrated. Although liquid water usually does not exist when pressed so low, the team generated a pressure gradient in the chamber that stabilized liquid water and enabled biological activity.
Close up of the biplastic habitat with algae growth. | Credit: Harvard University
The results indicate that bioplasty could be a sustainable material for the construction of habitats on Mars and other heavenly bodies, scientists say. In contrast to conventional industrial materials, which are expensive and difficult to recycle in transport, the bioplasty can be produced and reused according to the statement with biological processes on site.
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The latest Proof of Concept experiment builds on the earlier work of the Wordsworth team, which showed that Silica-Aerogele could reproduce the earth’s greenhouse effect in order to support life in cold environments with low pressure. By combining algae chambers for biplastic production with aerogels for heat and pressure regulation, the researchers say that they make real advances in space habitats.
Next, the team plans to test their biplastic systems under vacuum conditions that are relevant for moon and depth missions.
“The concept of biomaterial rooms is fundamentally interesting and can support people who live in space,” said Wordsworth in the explanation.
“While this type of technology is developing, it will also have spin -off advantages for sustainability technology on earth.”
