Researchers Utilize Microorganisms To Mend Bricks In Outer Space – Asian Scientist Magazine

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a method to repair bricks damaged in the harsh lunar environment using bacteria-based technology. The method uses the soil bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii to produce calcium carbonate, which binds lunar soil particles together to create bricks. The bricks can be strengthened by sintering, but they are still prone to fractures due to the moon’s extreme temperature variations and meteorite threats. To address this, the researchers used the bacteria to fill in defects in sintered bricks, restoring most of the brick’s strength. This technology has potential in extending the lifespan of structures on the moon and could also be used on Earth as a sustainable alternative to cement. The team plans to test the bacteria’s behavior in microgravity with the Gaganyaan Mission, which could be the first experiment of its kind. This breakthrough is crucial for NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to set up a permanent habitat on the moon, and could pave the way for longer-term lunar missions.

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