A recent research success story has been accomplished by a team of researchers of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) along with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In collaboration with both the researcher teams have manufactured ‘space brick’ to initiate the initial stages of habitation on the moon and the mars. The space brick which has been formulated from the mixture of lunar soil, bacteria, and gum that has been extracted from guar beans has been added to strengthen the product. These brick-like structures could be assembled and work the same as load-bearing cemented bricks. These bricks can be used on earth, too.
Aloke Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of mechanical engineering, IISc, has expressed his excitement as two different fields have worked together- biology and mechanical engineering for the completion of the research.
Carrying one pound of material to other planets and the moon from Earth could cost up to 7.5 lakh. As these space bricksv are created from Urea, which can be obtained from human urine and lunar soil as raw materials, the transportation cost could be relatively less. Also, the overall process will have lower carbon footprint emissions, as plant-based gum has been used, instead of cement.
Bacteria, Sporosarcina pasteurii, go through the process of ureolytic cycle to combine urea and calcium which results in the production of calcium carbonate crystals as their byproducts. Although bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii is extensively expensive. Just one vial could cost up to 50,000 INR. In the replacement, scientists have chosen the bacteria, Bacillus velezensis. Bacillus velezensis has similar properties as Sporosarcina pasteurii and stands for ten times less cost than the former.
To begin their experiment, Aloke Kumar with his colleagues at IISc and with ISRO scientists, Arjun Dey and I Venugopal, mixed the bacteria with an imitation of lunar soil. Then, urea, calcium sources, and guar gum have been added. After a few days of incubation, the final product formed has the strength and conditioning as of brick.
Researchers have said that they are working to make more stronger bricks at an affordable price. As resources on Earth is getting diminishing day by day, we are looking to make human habitation possible on the moon and Mars. Soon, humans would be able to construct buildings here.
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