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Hong Kong scientists develop 3D-printable living binder for Mars buildings
The engineered yeast, gelatin and sand formulation achieved a compressive strength of about 12 MPa, roughly 170% higher than a control mix.
Scientists in Hong Kong say they have developed a quick, low-cost “living” building material that can be 3D printed under conditions simulating the Martian environment, using genetically engineered yeast, gelatin, and sand.
In their study, published online last month in Chem Circularity, an international Cell Press journal, the researchers described a biological binder designed to hold granular materials together, aimed at reducing the need to transport building inputs from Earth or to melt Martian soil into bricks.
They reported the optimized formulation had a compressive strength of about 12 megapascals, which they said is around 170% higher than that of the control formulation.
The scientists said the resulting strength falls within the range of conventional building materials, according to an SCMP Economy write-up.