Under the Microscope: NASA-made material for moon manufacturing
Photos taken using a microscope reveal the colorful, kaleidoscope-like crystal structure of a new NASA-made material that could be used for manufacturing during future space missions.
Photos taken using a microscope reveal the colorful, kaleidoscope-like crystal structure of a new NASA-made material that could be used for manufacturing during future space missions.
The short version
- Developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the material could be created directly on the moon or Mars, allowing NASA to pack fewer supplies—saving weight and reducing launch costs.
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- To make the material, research chemical engineer Allison Christy and her team of summer interns at NASA Glenn—Tyler Klinchuch, Ethan Bilodeau and Emma Levenson—mixed a special plastic with simulated moon and Mars dust.
What happened
This plastic is biodegradable and could be produced by bacteria fed with crew waste or carbon dioxide. "The plastic literally grows within the bacteria's little bodies," Christy said.
Why it matters
"It's really cool." The team found that incorporating simulated lunar and Martian dust particles into the plastic made it stronger and easier to process.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Phys.org via the links above and below.