Extraterrestrial Fungal Brickworks

Mycelia-based construction materials offer a sustainable, low-mass alternative for extraterrestrial habitat development. These fungal-derived composites leverage mycelium’s ability to grow into structured. By cultivating mycelium on available feedstocks such as biowaste and in situ resources, mycelia bricks provide a regenerative and self-sustaining approach to space architecture. This project aims to develop and optimize mycelia-based building materials for lunar and Martian habitats, addressing key challenges of fungal growth using in situ resources. We will define growth parameters for mycelium in simulated regolith and space-compatible substrates, evaluate mechanical properties such as compressive strength and fracture resistance, and explore scalable biomanufacturing strategies. By integrating mycelia bricks into in situ resource utilization (ISRU) frameworks, this research will provide NASA with critical data on fungal biofabrication in space. These findings will support future space missions by reducing reliance on Earth-based construction materials and enabling sustainable habitat infrastructure.

Mycelia bricks present a novel, self-sustaining construction material for lunar and Martian habitats, aligning with NASA’s goals for in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and long-duration human exploration. These fungal-based composites offer an ability to be cultivated using biowaste or elements of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) waste streams and thus minimizes reliance on costly Earth-based resupply missions, supporting the development of closed-loop life support systems. Mycelium’s regenerative properties make it a viable material for self-repairing infrastructure, reducing maintenance demands in remote environments. The adaptability of fungal growth enables the integration of mycelia bricks with regolith, facilitating in situ fabrication of habitats and shielding structures. By optimizing mycelial growth parameters and material processing for space environments, this project will address key challenges related to fungal viability, biomass formation, and mechanical resilience under extraterrestrial conditions. Testing in simulated regolith and controlled atmospheric conditions will generate critical data on fungal biomanufacturing in space. These findings will support future NASA missions by enabling lightweight, low-resource, and sustainable habitat construction on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Mycelia bricks offer a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials on Earth, with applications in green architecture, disaster relief housing, and biodegradable packaging. Their lightweight, durable, and self-repairing nature makes them an attractive solution for environmentally conscious building projects, reducing reliance on energy-intensive materials such as concrete and steel. In the construction industry, mycelia-based composites can serve as insulation, modular building blocks, and fire-resistant panels. These materials provide enhanced thermal regulation and biodegradability, making them ideal for sustainable housing and temporary shelters. Additionally, their ability to be cultivated using agricultural waste supports circular economy models, further reducing environmental impact. Beyond construction, mycelia-based materials have potential applications in consumer goods and industrial design. Companies in the packaging industry are exploring fungal composites as biodegradable alternatives to plastics thereby reducing landfill waste. In furniture manufacturing, mycelia-based materials are being used for ergonomic, lightweight, and customizable designs. Other emerging applications include impact-resistant materials for protective gear, bio-based acoustic insulation, and potential biomedical applications such as antimicrobial coatings. As research advances, mycelia bricks and fungal composites could transform industries by offering renewable, low-carbon, and biodegradable solutions across multiple sectors.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.