In science fiction, human settlement on Mars and other planets are often referred to as futuristic buildings of metal and glass. In reality, however, the habitat of the future colonists can be more “green”, experts believe NASA.
They develop technology of growing of different structures of fungi, or rather, from the mycelium. This is the vegetative body of fungi, consisting of thin branched filaments.
the Main researcher of the project microarchitectures astrobiologist Lynn Rothschild (Lynn Rothschild) notes: existing design decisions make future colonists, like turtles, carry their homes on himself. But the transportation of materials and necessary equipment from the Earth will demand a fabulous cost.
Mushroom house grown on the spot, is a promising and low-cost alternative.
According to experts, under certain conditions, colonies of very thin filaments of the mycelium are able to unite in larger structures and to create complex structures. For example, fruiting bodies of fungi, or… building blocks.
the Petri dish with mycelium growing on artificial soil simulating Martian.Photo NASA/Ames Research Center/Lynn Rothschild.
In the course of space flights, the mycelium will be “dormant”, and upon arrival on the moon or Mars from it will be in the truest sense of the word to grow at home, as well as furniture and other necessary items. This mushroom harvesting will need to just add water.
Bricks that are created from the mycelium with the addition of wood chips.Photo 2018 Stanford-Brown-RISD iGEM Team.
by the Way, in 2018, the authors of the project demonstrated one of the first prototypes – mushroom stool. It was grown from the mycelium within two weeks, and then baked to get dry and durable piece of furniture.
the Stool, grown from mycelium in two weeks.Photo 2018 Stanford-Brown-RISD iGEM Team.
As explained by Lynn Rothschild, the key to the success of this project was the use of cyanobacteria that are in the process of photosynthesis produce oxygen and substances necessary for the growth of the mycelium.
According to the researchers, future homes will have a three-layer structure. The outer layer will consist of water ice that can be mined on the moon or Mars. It will provide protection from radiation.
the Second layer of cyanobacteria – will absorb the light passing through the ice. Bacteria will produce oxygen for humans and nutrients for the last layer of mycelium.
This inner layer will serve as a framework for “living at home”. First, the mycelium will need to be activated for growth in a closed environment (inside the frame), and then bake construction blocks.
At the same time, even if some of the threads of mycelium somehow “make the escape”, they will not be able to grow. Keep it will be made by the creators of genetic changes. That is, the mycelium is viable only in certain conditions created by people.
it is Important to note that the mycelium can also be used for water filtration, the extraction of minerals from wastewater, humidity control and even bioluminescent lighting. In addition, it can be created at home, able to samoklejushchiesja in case of damage.
so far, however, these possibilities are only speculative: scientists intend to explore them in future works.
Also, the authors of the project do not exclude that one day “mushroom” houses can appear on the Ground. This approach will reduce the carbon emissions that are generated by the construction industry.
we will Add that earlier researchers have proposed to settle the future colonists of the moon and Mars in the house-origami and ice “needle”. In addition, to solve quarternthe first question will help the bricks out of Martian soil and lunar dust.
Also “News.Science” (nauka.vesti.ru) told about eco-friendly funerals in mushroom costumes, which are eroding the remains of people.
Text: To.Science
