Exploring Proposed Habitats Constructed from Potato Starch in the Future
StarCrete: A Revolutionary Building Material for Mars and Moon Habitats
A groundbreaking new building material, StarCrete, is set to revolutionise the construction of habitats on Mars and the Moon. This innovative substance, made primarily from potato starch, regolith (Martian or Lunar soil), and magnesium chloride, has been shown to be twice as strong as traditional concrete[1].
The creation of durable, sustainable habitats is essential for the long-term presence of human beings on these extraterrestrial bodies. StarCrete promises to provide robust protection against cosmic radiation, making it an ideal choice for the construction of Mars and Moon bases.
One of the key advantages of StarCrete is its production process. The primary ingredient, potato starch, can be sourced from Earth, with researchers estimating that a 55-pound bag of chips could yield enough starch to create over 500 kg of StarCrete, or more than 210 bricks[2]. This means that any potential production issues could be offset by the shipment of significant quantities of potato starch from Earth.
Magnesium chloride, another component of StarCrete, is interestingly found not only in Martian regolith but also in the tears of astronauts[3]. This discovery not only adds a touch of the surreal to the material's creation but also ensures its availability on Mars.
The innovation of StarCrete has been featured in the journal Open Engineering, and the research team behind the material, led by Aled D. Roberts, is optimistic about its potential. Roberts states that potato starch can be produced not only for astronauts' food but also for construction purposes[4].
StarCrete's remarkable resistance to compression sets it apart from traditional concrete, making it a promising candidate for the construction of durable, long-lasting habitats on Mars and the Moon. As humanity continues to explore and settle these new frontiers, materials like StarCrete could play a crucial role in our journey.
[1] Open Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 1-8 [2] Open Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 6-7 [3] Open Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 4-5 [4] Open Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 9-10
- The innovation of StarCrete, a revolutionary building material for Mars and Moon habitats, has been published in the field of science and technology, specifically within the journal Open Engineering.
- By utilizing the environment of Mars (regolith and potential sources of magnesium chloride), along with research and development, StarCrete has the potential to contribute significantly to the construction of sustainable habitats in space-and-astronomy.
- The discovery that magnesium chloride, an essential component of StarCrete, is found not only on Earth but also in the environment of Mars, contributes to the spaceshipment of materials required for the production of this innovative building material.
