EVENT DETAIL

Topic: Laboratory investigations into the use of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) in extraterrestrial regolith simulants.

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a biomineralization process which can bond otherwise loose soil particles, thereby increasing the shear strength and stiffness of the soil while decreasing its permeability and compressibility. MICP has shown promise as a soil improvement technique in numerous lab-scale studies and limited field-scale studies. This presentation will focus on the use of MICP as a soil improvement technique in extraterrestrial regolith simulants. Although the impetus for extraterrestrial soil improvements is different from that of terrestrial soils, the basic applications are similar. Extraterrestrial soil improvements may be needed for building foundations, wall treatments of underground works, dust mitigation, roadway stabilization, and more. This work is in support of NASA’s in situ resource utilization (ISRU) efforts dealing with the challenges from the lack of immediate access to supplies during space exploration and habitation. This presentation highlights some laboratory-scale studies of the use of MICP in lunar regolith simulants and shares preliminary finds of a new approach for real-time monitoring of the MICP treatment process.