Tue Apr 01 11:39:39 UTC 2025: ## IISc Develops Bacteria-Based Technique to Repair Lunar Bricks
**Bengaluru, April 1, 2025** – Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a groundbreaking bacteria-based method to repair bricks intended for lunar habitats. This innovation addresses a critical challenge in constructing durable structures on the moon, where extreme temperature fluctuations and meteorite impacts can damage conventional materials.
The IISc team, previously known for developing bricks from lunar soil simulant using the bacterium *Sporosarcina pasteurii*, has now adapted the technique to repair cracks in sintered bricks – a stronger, but more brittle, alternative. Sintering, a high-temperature process, creates robust bricks but leaves them vulnerable to cracking under the moon’s harsh conditions.
The new method involves filling cracks in the sintered bricks with a slurry containing *Sporosarcina pasteurii*, guar gum, and lunar soil simulant. The bacteria effectively bind the slurry, solidifying the cracks and reinforcing the brick’s structure. The reinforced bricks successfully withstood temperatures ranging from 100°C to 175°C in laboratory tests.
This research is crucial for future lunar missions, such as NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base. Transporting building materials from Earth is prohibitively expensive, making the use of readily available lunar regolith essential. The IISc team’s bacterial approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to constructing and maintaining durable lunar habitats. The team is currently pursuing a proposal to test the bacteria’s behavior in microgravity conditions as part of the Indian Gaganyaan mission.
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