Research by Jeremy Straub, NDSU assistant professor of computer science, was mentioned in a recent Newsweek article about the possibility of a human settlement on Mars.

The mention comes after Straub’s publication was prominently cited in a Nature Scientific Reports article that advances key material science knowledge to support structure fabrication on Mars using 3D printing and Martian soil. 

The Newsweek article focuses on a new study that shows polymers may not be necessary to make bricks from Martian soil that are stronger than steel-reinforced concrete. The new process for making Martian bricks involves only extreme compression instead of heat or chemicals. 

NASA is hoping to build a research and operations outpost on Mars in the 2030s. Building construction materials from Martian soil would significantly decrease the cost of the project, according to Newsweek.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.