Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated the potential for creating self-sustaining habitats in space by cultivating green algae within bioplastic structures under Mars-like conditions. This innovative approach aims to establish closed-loop systems that do not rely on materials transported from Earth.
In laboratory experiments simulating the thin Martian atmosphere, the team successfully grew Dunaliella tertiolecta, a common green algae, inside 3D-printed chambers made from polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic. These chambers were designed to block harmful ultraviolet radiation while allowing sufficient light for photosynthesis. The algae thrived under atmospheric pressures of 600 Pascals, over 100 times lower than Earth's, and in a carbon dioxide-rich environment, similar to conditions on Mars.
The bioplastic chambers created a pressure gradient that stabilized liquid water within, enabling biological activity despite the low external pressure. This setup suggests that bioplastics could play a crucial role in developing renewable systems for maintaining life in extraterrestrial environments.
Professor Robin Wordsworth, who led the research, explained, "If you have a habitat that is composed of bioplastic, and it grows algae within it, that algae could produce more bioplastic. So you start to have a closed-loop system that can sustain itself and even grow through time." This concept aligns with the growing interest in sustainable technologies and could have applications beyond space exploration, potentially informing the development of sustainable communities in extreme environments on Earth.
The research, published in Science Advances, represents a significant step toward designing habitats that do not require constant resupply from Earth. The team plans to further test these bioplastic habitats in vacuum conditions to assess their viability for lunar or deep-space applications. As this technology develops, it may offer spinoff benefits for sustainability efforts on Earth as well.