Investigation of Space Biocementation under Microgravity via Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation

Biocementation has emerged as a promising method for in-situ construction on extraterrestrial surfaces, yet its performance under microgravity conditions remains largely unexplored. This study demonstrates the viability of employing crude enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) for biocementation under microgravity conditions. In microgravity environments, the absence of gravity-driven convection reduces the reaction extent and results in a more dispersed microstructural formation compared to normal gravity conditions. However, solidification tests confirm that calcium carbonate bridges can still form, effectively solidifying the samples. This research offers valuable insights into the application of biocementation in space, particularly during the expansion phase of human settlements. By integrating EICP with In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), a promising and feasible solution emerges for extraterrestrial construction, contributing to the long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency of future off-Earth colonies.