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Prelims level: Bacterial Brick
Why in the News?
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a bacteria-based technique to repair bricks used in lunar habitats, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the moon’s environment.
About the Bacterial Brick:
- The bacterial brick is an innovative material designed for building durable, eco-friendly structures in lunar habitats.
- It is created using lunar soil simulants combined with Sporosarcina pasteurii, a bacteria that binds soil particles together, forming a solid material suitable for construction on the moon.
- How is it made?
- The bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii converts urea and calcium into calcium carbonate crystals, which bind soil particles together to create a brick-like substance.
- The process is further enhanced with guar gum, which serves as a natural adhesive, making it a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to energy-intensive cement-based manufacturing.
- The researchers also explored sintering, where a mixture of soil simulants and polyvinyl alcohol is heated to high temperatures, creating stronger, more pressure-resistant bricks.
Significance for Lunar Surface Conditions:
- The moon’s surface experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from 121°C to -133°C, causing bricks to crack and become brittle.
- A bacteria-based repair technique using Sporosarcina pasteurii helps address these cracks.
- When mixed with lunar soil simulant and guar gum, the bacteria effectively adhere to cracks, improving durability and enabling the bricks to withstand temperatures from 100°C to 175°C.
- This approach offers a sustainable solution by allowing on-site construction with local lunar materials, reducing the need for Earth-based materials.
- It ensures long-term structural integrity for lunar habitats, contributing to the sustainability of space missions.
| [UPSC 2011] Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why?
1. They use living organisms as catalysts (often including bacteria) to generate electricity from certain substrates. 2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates. 3. They can be installed in wastewater treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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