Overview

• The team cultivated Dunaliella tertiolecta inside 3D-printed polylactic acid chambers at 600 pascals with over 98% CO₂, achieving robust photosynthetic growth.
• Bioplastic shelters generated internal pressure gradients that stabilized liquid water under Martian-like low pressures.
• Translucent PLA structures blocked harmful UV radiation while admitting sufficient light for algae to photosynthesize.
• Findings published July 2 in Science Advances build on Harvard SEAS’ earlier silica aerogel greenhouse research to tackle temperature and pressure challenges on Mars.
• Researchers aim to design a fully functional closed-loop system in which algae continuously regenerate bioplastic feedstock to expand and repair extraterrestrial habitats.