Team:DTU-Denmark
Fungal building materials for extreme environments
Colonization of uninhabitable areas, like Mars, will require building materials to be transported to the site of deployment. Transport limitations such as space and weight make this process very expensive. Based on these challenges, we propose to make building materials from fungal mycelium to be grown on site. Our project is focused on how to optimize the material properties of the fungi through engineering of basic fungal characteristics. Our initial studies identified Aspergillus oryzae as the best candidate chassis for material properties and ease of genetic engineering. Based on our choice of fungus, we decided to increase the gene expression of melanin to improve A. oryzae’s capabilities of withstanding UV radiation and change the colors of the fungi by inserting a blue chromoprotein gene. Furthermore, we have designed a final geometric structure that can withstand external conditions and reduce the amount of work needed to assemble it.
The team received a bronze medal for their project
The Plan
PHASE ONE - Preparations on Earth
We would begin by genetically optimizing a fungal species for the purpose of making construction materials.
Vigorous testing and verification on the fungus would be performed on earth to ensure proper gene function and behavior before launch.
Various simulations and models will play a crucial part in designing sustainable structures that can protect humans against the hostile Martian environment.
PHASE TWO - Inventory
The space shuttle would need to have the essentials for our fungus to be grown.
Vials of spores from our GMO fungus would be prepared and a necessary means of biomass, most likely cyanobacteria, will be included.
Specific molds will let the fungus grow in a desired shape. Creating the pieces for the dome.
General laboratory tools will have to be included to perform the needed work.
PHASE THREE - Producing the Sheets
Plate production will be established inside a provisional inflatable tent.
Biomass and spores will be combined in easy-to-manage molds.
Growth in a confined space will let the fungus conform into the desired shape.
When the mold is appropriately filled, the fungus will be extracted and killed as preparation for the building process.
PHASE FOUR - Assembly
The produced materials are assembled to create larger habitat structures. Domes will likely be used as these are best at distributing the forces of internal pressure.
Given the high pressure difference between human habitats and the Martian atmosphere, the final structures will have to be sealed as to make the structure completely airtight.
At this point, otherwise optimized fungal species can be used to synthesize a range of useful biochemicals and materials.
The cyanobacteria used in the production of fungal materials can also be used to supply oxygen to the habitat.
Why do we want to land on Mars?
The first space race that led to the moon landing was hugely influenced by political currents, but the will to expand is a notion that dates back to the period after the era of imperialism.
Many parallels from the moon landing can be drawn to the current race of getting the human race to Mars, where it can be concluded that getting there is inevitable.
