A human civilization on Mars? Nowadays we talk about it more and more often. While waiting to reach such a goal, there is no shortage of interesting studies and ideas, and one of the most recent proposals comes from Iran, where a team of researchers has even thought about how houses could be built on the Red Planet.
The scholars ofKharazmi University of Iran they are thinking of using human blood to build houses. The research, published in the journal Acta Astronauticais based on an old construction technique of the ancient Romans, who used animal blood and urine to extend the durability of the mortar used to build. It would be precisely thanks to this, in fact, that structures dating back to that era still exist today. Iranian researchers believe that, once they arrive on Mars, astronauts may be forced to face various limitations, including space to store materials and difficulty transporting them. This is why every resource should be exploited.
By studying geological data collected during missions to Mars, researchers have identified 11 types of concrete that can be made by drawing on the planet’s resources. From here we arrived at a new material, theAstroCretewhich combines Martian regolith with serum albumin, a protein present in the blood – or rather in the plasma – human. To increase the resistance of the material, the scholars explain, one could even think about adding human ureaextractable from sweat, tears and urine.
The procedure for obtaining AstroCrete is very simple. Just mix it Martian regolith with human serum albumin. The result is a very reliable, stable and durable building material. Not only that. AstroCrete requires no water, and is low cost.
Tests have already been done with one 3D printerand the material withstood different types of stress.
Up to now there has been talk of sulphur-based concrete as a material to be used for possible constructions on Mars, but it seems that AstroCrete could be a worthy competitor.
A technique like the one employed by ancient Romans it could therefore open doors for the future.