Scientists have proposed building habitats on Mars using blood of astronauts living on the red planet in the future. A group of experts from Kharazmi University in Tehran suggests that a special protein in the human blood can be utilised to manufacture a substance called 'AstroCrete' for manufacturing concrete.
Their research, accepted for publication in the journal Acta Astronautica, says that this concrete can be even more durable when mixed with urine.
Blood habitats on Mars?
According to the research paper, the colonists on Mars could make AstroCrete by mixing the martian regolith with elements of blood.
"Although it is a bit strange, blood can be utilized to create strong concrete or bricks for onsite construction on Mars," the paper reads.
"After the arrival of the first Martian inhabitants and their placement in primary structures, which can include inflatable structures, the combination of tears, blood, and sweat from the inhabitants, along with Martian regolith, can be used to produce a concrete known as AstroCrete," it further said.
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According to experts, the protein human serum albumin (HAS) in the blood can act as a 'vivo binder' and transform the martian soil into concrete. Further addition of urea extracted from urine can strengthen the material even more.
AstroCrete was first proposed by University of Manchester scientists in 2021, per Futurism, who said that construction would be simple using 3D printing. Now the Iranian scientists have found that it would take one crew member just 72 weeks to produce enough HAS to construct a small habitat. They have also reportedly suggested to look for sulfur deposists on Mars to build habitats for acid and salty environments.
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(Image: NASA)