Fungi Tested as Potential Building Materials for Moon and Mars
A NASA-funded study led by a UNC professor will explore the use of fungi as construction materials for future lunar and Martian missions.
Luna Labs has selected Nicholas Oberlies, a chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, to lead a NASA-funded study investigating the potential of fungi as construction materials for future space missions.
The research aims to determine whether certain types of fungi can be used to create sustainable building materials that could support habitats on the Moon and Mars. This approach could offer a novel solution to the challenges of constructing infrastructure in space, where traditional materials are difficult to transport and use.
Oberlies, known for his work in natural product chemistry, will collaborate with a team of scientists to explore the structural and biological properties of fungi that could be harnessed for construction purposes. The project is part of a broader effort to develop in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies that make space exploration more feasible and cost-effective.
The study is expected to examine how fungi can be cultivated and processed into durable, lightweight materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of space. If successful, the findings could pave the way for new methods of building on extraterrestrial surfaces, reducing reliance on Earth-based supplies and increasing the sustainability of long-term space missions.
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