Yeast instead of concrete: scientists propose printing homes on Mars from living proteins and ice

A group of researchers published a paper in the scientific journal Chem Circularity describing a fundamentally new approach to creating building materials for future Martian bases. Instead of the classic melting or sintering of local regolith, the authors propose using bioengineered yeast and gelatin as the basis for 3D printing. According to RBC-Ukraine, the concept relies on the physicochemical processes of freezing and sublimation — the same mechanisms used in fruit drying, but transferred to the extreme conditions of the Martian atmosphere. The illustrative photo accompanying the publication shows geodesic dome structures in a desert landscape at sunset — a visual metaphor for future hybrid habitats, not actual buildings.

How yeast-based “glue” becomes a building block

The technology is based on two interrelated processes. First, genetically modified yeast cells produce specialized protein compounds that act as an adhesive: they firmly bind the mixture's components — gelatin, mineral particles, and water — into a single mass. Second, after this “bio-paste” is dispensed through the nozzle of a 3D printer, the moisture in the mixture practically instantly freezes in the thin, extremely cold Martian air. Sublimation then takes over: the ice evaporates directly into the gaseous phase, bypassing the liquid state. The result is a light, porous, foam-like structure that resembles aerogel or cellular concrete in texture.

Strength on par with low-grade concrete and an energy advantage

According to laboratory measurements, the cured material demonstrates a compressive strength of around 12 MPa. For reference: standard structural concrete of class B15–B20 has a strength in the range of 11.5–20 MPa, meaning the proposed biomaterial is comparable to low-quality concrete, which is quite acceptable for an outer frame and thermal insulation. The main advantage of the method, however, is the enormous saving of energy resources. The authors emphasize that producing bio-blocks requires one to two orders of magnitude (i.e., 10–100 times) less energy than the traditional melting or sintering of Martian soil. An additional plus: provided that living yeast cells are preserved during storage, the material can be recycled and reused, which is critical for the closed ecosystems of a colony.

Laboratory tests: hives 45 millimeters tall

At the current stage, researchers have successfully printed, under laboratory conditions, miniature test structures in the shape of hives, 45 millimeters tall. This is a demonstration of the technology's working principle, not the creation of functional elements of a living module. Scaling from millimeter-scale samples to meter-scale walls and domes will require solving a whole range of engineering challenges: calibrating the printer for Martian pressure (about 0.6 kPa versus 101.3 kPa on Earth), controlling the sublimation rate, and ensuring the stability of the protein matrix during long-term storage in the vacuum of space.

Limitations: why yeast will not replace an airtight dome

The authors honestly note that the bio-paste cannot fully replace the traditional structural elements of Martian housing. A true habitable module must guarantee several critical parameters: full airtightness to maintain internal atmospheric pressure, protection from ionizing radiation (both solar and from cosmic rays), and a barrier against abrasive Martian dust, whose particles contain perchlorates. Therefore, in the researchers' assessment, future bases will most likely be hybrid structures: the yeast blocks will serve as the outer frame, an insulating layer, and possibly a first screen against fine dust, while the airtight living volume, the radiation shield, and the life-support systems will rely on traditional engineering solutions.

Contradictory data

No direct factual contradictions were found in the provided sources: the only reference — a RBC-Ukraine publication citing Chem Circularity — contains consistent figures (12 MPa, 45 mm, one to two orders of magnitude of energy savings). However, it should be noted that the phrase “one to two orders of magnitude less” represents a range rather than an exact value, and without access to the full text of the journal article it is impossible to determine which specific energy metric (per unit mass or per unit volume) is being compared with the baseline sintering scenario. Moreover, the term “compressive strength of about 12 MPa” is given without an error margin and without specifying the test conditions (loading rate, humidity, temperature), which limits the possibility of direct engineering extrapolation to real Martian conditions.