A new study suggests that blood and other bodily fluids could be used as additives in concrete to build the first permanent structures on Mars.
If humanity ever makes it to constructing the first permanent buildings on Mars , they will likely need bricks made from Martian regolith—but the construction material may also require blood and other bodily fluids from astronauts themselves. The explorers tasked with establishing a permanent Martian base will also need to pack strategically.
Space will be at a premium aboard the rocket that takes them to Earth’s neighbor, and the mission’s cost and fuel requirements increase in tandem with the amount of cargo. Because of this, the earliest crews will need to rely on the resources around them—which is mostly a lot of rocks and dirt. A millenia-old strategy, however, may help them make the most of other readily available additives. Ancient Roman concrete is known for its excellent resiliency, strength, and even self-healing properties. But masons often used other key ingredients in the brickmaking: blood and urine. Knowing this, a research team from Iran’s Kharazmi University recently mixed and tested multiple potential building materials using various combinations of sediment found on Mars, as well as other easily obtainable components. “Ancient Romans utilized organic additives, including animal blood, primarily to improve the durability and workability of their mortar,” they wrote in a subsequent study published in the journal, Acta Astronautica. “Although it is a bit strange, blood can be utilized to create strong concrete or bricks for onsite construction on Mars.” Depending on the region of the planet, Martian soil contains the right chemical composition for multiple types of concrete. After compiling geological data collected by past Mars landers and orbiters, the team identified 11 potential concrete options for future astronauts. These included geopolymer and magnesium silica mixtures. They then created simulated building material samples using a 3D printer, stress tested them, and recorded the result
MARS CONSTRUCTION CONCRETE BLOOD SPACE EXPLORATION
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Outlander Season 7 Just Introduced Roger To Its First Blood Of My Blood Spinoff CharacterRichard Rankin as Roger and Diarmaid Murtagh as Buck Mackenzie in Outlander season 7 episode 7-1
Read more »
'Outlander' Author Reveals Her Involvement in Prequel Series 'Blood of My Blood' – "It's So Much Easier Than Writing Novels"Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine sitting in a car in Outlander Blood of My Blood
Read more »
Corona Fire Department unveils new blood transfusion programCFD rigs are now outfitted with 'mini blood banks' stocked with Type O blood, allowing them to perform blood transfusions in the field on trauma patients.
Read more »
Astronauts Process Information Slower in Space, NASA Study FindsAstronauts on board the ISS took longer to perform certain tasks, raising concern over the effects spaceflight has on the human brain.
Read more »
Texas study finds that erectile dysfunction drugs improve blood flow and may help men live longerResearchers conducted a three-year-long study that involved about 500,000 men aged 40 and up and found health improvements in men who took drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Read more »
Living Material Made From Blood Can Repair Bones, Study ShowsThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »