A 3-D printed, plastic beaker could help algae grow on Mars – Algae could make bioplastics to craft sustainable habitats for future humans
A 3-D printed, plastic beaker could help algae grow on Mars – Algae could make bioplastics to craft sustainable habitats for future humans
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The future of plant life on Mars may be bioplastic.
Green algae (*Dunaliella tertiolecta*) [flourished under Mars-like conditions](http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp4985?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D60493531648424862743744476212760971631%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1751378654) inside translucent, bioplastic habitats, researchers report July 2 in *Science Advances*. Algae or plants that produce bioplastics grown inside the habitats could provide more material to build livable structures. Such a self-sustaining loop could help space travelers build where necessary rather than relying on supplies hauled from Earth.
People would need a lot of supplies to create livable conditions on another planet. “Extraterrestrial conditions are very hostile in general,” says Robin Wordsworth, a planetary scientist at Harvard University. “If you think about the moon or deep space or Mars, it’s no picnic.” Among the biggest concerns is water availability.
Microplastics in your brain not doing the trick!? Try microplastics on Mars, Mercury and even Venus. Microplastics across the galaxy!