Dr. Nicholas Oberlies, the Patricia A. Sullivan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has received a new grant from Luna Labs as part of a new NASA STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grant. The project — “Extraterrestrial Fungal Brickworks” — will seek to “develop and optimize mycelia-based building materials for lunar and Martian habitats.” The Oberlies Lab will contribute expertise in mycological analysis.
Technical Abstract (available from 2025 NASA STTR Phase I Selections):
Mycelia-based construction materials offer a sustainable, low-mass alternative for extraterrestrial habitat development. These fungal-derived composites leverage mycelium’s ability to grow into structured forms. By cultivating mycelium on available feedstocks such as biowaste and in situ resources, mycelia bricks provide a regenerative and self-sustaining approach to space architecture. This project aims to develop and optimize mycelia-based building materials for lunar and Martian habitats, addressing key challenges of fungal growth using in situ resources. We will define growth parameters for mycelium in simulated regolith and space-compatible substrates, evaluate mechanical properties such as compressive strength and fracture resistance, and explore scalable biomanufacturing strategies. By integrating mycelia bricks into in situ resource utilization (ISRU) frameworks, this research will provide NASA with critical data on fungal biofabrication in space. These findings will support future space missions by reducing reliance on Earth-based construction materials and enabling sustainable habitat infrastructure.
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