Genetically Engineered Yeast Could Build the First Martian Outposts

A team led by Ning Liu of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology published in Chem Circularity a study on a biocomposite building material for Mars: Martian sand, gelatin and genetically modified baker's yeast. The material hardens in Martian vacuum, has compressive strength of 12 MPa and flexural strength of 6 MPa, and requires almost 100 times less energy than regolith sintering.

• Compressive strength 12 MPa, flexural strength 6 MPa, higher than ordinary concrete
• Energy consumption almost 100 times lower than laser regolith sintering
• Material withstood up to four recycling cycles without strength loss
• Gelatin for the mix will still have to be delivered from Earth