Biomaterials Using Fungi Developed for Mars Colonization
As far as home planets go, the Earth ticks most of the boxes- oxygen, food, water, cute doggos, and lovely views. But there are risks to be considered too. What if a nuclear war (very likely since you apparently need just one push of a button), an asteroid collision or a rogue AI sent it all up n smoke, blotting out our own fragile existence?
Which is why we know have dozens of scientists/futurists lobbying for the colonization of mars. But once we get there, we will need to adapt our lives to the harsh conditions of the planet.
This is where “Mars Boots” wedges into picture. A team of biodesigners is getting us ready to live on Mars by creating the clothes that future Martians will use using fungi to create the materials.
The team has built a prototype of boots that were thoroughly researched and designed for life on Mars. The boots are adapted to an environment with reduced gravity, a rocky terrain and strong UV and gamma-ray radiation.
And the most exciting part of this venture is the fact that these biomaterials are developed using fungi!
The Mars Boot is now
on exhibition at the MoMA, in New York, until the 28th of January, as part the exhibition Items: Is Fashion Modern? The show displays a collection of hundreds of types of garments and explores their use and cultural implications around the world.
Astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS) already filter their sweat and urine to make drinking water, so it’s not a foreign concept. When travelling to a planet without water, it becomes a precious resource that cannot be wasted. Therefore, the concept of a circular economy that many are promoting on Earth, might become essential to life on Mars.
Maurizio Montalti, one of the designers behind the Mars Boot, founded Officina Corpuscoli to research fungal materials that could offer a sustainable alternative to build furniture and homeware. He has now extended the possible usage of these materials to almost any product through his collaborations with various designers. To create the Mars Boot, he worked with footwear designer Liz Ciokajlo, who has a consultancy firm focused on new material alternatives for shoes.
