Biological growth as an alternative approach to on and off-Earth construction

Abstract

A critical aspect of human space exploration and eventual settlement is the ability to construct habitats while minimizing payload mass launched from Earth. To respond to this challenge, we have proposed the use of fungal bio-composites for growing extra-terrestrial structures, directly at the destination, significantly lowering the mass of structural materials transported from Earth and minimizing the need for high mass robotic operations and infrastructure preparations. Throughout human history, the construction of habitats has used biologically produced materials, from bone and skins to wood and limestone. Traditionally, the materials are used only post-mortem. Currently, the idea of working with living biological organisms, and the phenomenon of growth itself, is of increasing interest in architecture and space applications. Here, we describe the use of mycelium-based composites as an alternative, biological approach for constructing regenerative and adaptive buildings in extrem environments and extraterrestrial habitats. It is a continuation of our research program initiated under the auspices of the “Myco-architecture Off Planet” NASA NIAC Team. These composites, which are fire-resistant, and insulating, do not consist of volatile organic compounds from petrochemical products and can be used independently or in conjunction with regolith, could employ the living biological growth in a controlled environment, for the process of material fabrication, assembly, maintenance, and repair, providing structures resilient to extra-terrestrial hazards. Here we outline the potential and challenges of using bio-composites for Earth and space applications. We describe how these might be addressed to make this biological approach feasible, providing new, growing materials for designing and building sustainable habitats, both on Earth and for long-duration space missions.

The Potential of Co-Designing with Living Organisms: Towards a New Ecological Paradigm in Architecture

“…This firm has also worked on manufacturing panels at a larger scale outside a laboratory setting, in partnership with The University of Akron, on a project in which the produced materials were tested for their outdoor durability (Houette et al, 2020 [80]). This architectural firm is also exploring the growth of mycelium materials for outer-space architecture integrated into the life cycle of the astronauts and their habitat in extreme environments [104]. Using mycelium to fabricate outer-space architecture at a destination is highly interesting as it considerably reduces the mass and volume of materials (i.e., mycelium strains) transported from Earth, which will be grown on local waste products (i.e., astronauts' or bioreactors' by-products) (Figure 3).…”

“…Using mycelium to fabricate outer-space architecture at a destination is highly interesting as it considerably reduces the mass and volume of materials (i.e., mycelium strains) transported from Earth, which will be grown on local waste products (i.e., astronauts' or bioreactors' by-products) (Figure 3). Due to the challenges associated with outer-space habitat, multiple functions of fungi can be integrated throughout the life cycle of mycelium-based materials and further enhanced through bio-engineering and associations with other life forms [104]. Such functions include waste processing through their natural enzyme secretion for food uptake, radiation protection, self-healing, humidity regulation, energy, light and nutrient production, ventilation, and psychological comfort.…”

Fungal circuitry: mycelium as a living sensor for smart structures

“…Although the use of mycelium-based composites is still in its early stages, it has gained significant interest in recent years, with several works reviewing the topic [8,16,17,18,19,20]. Amongst the numerous potential applications for mycelium-based materials, a large number of studies has focused on its potential for adoption within the building industry, with proposed uses including thermal insulators [21,22], bricks [14,23], acoustic insulators [24,25], or as an alternative biological approach for constructing regenerative and adaptive buildings in extreme environments and extraterrestrial habitats [26].…”