Press coverage: "Scientists develop a ‘cosmic concrete’ that is twice as strong as regular concrete"

Scientists at the University of Manchester have developed StarCrete, a sustainable and ultra-strong material made from simulated Martian or lunar dust, potato starch, and a pinch of salt, intended for building infrastructure on Mars and potentially Earth. StarCrete is more than twice as strong as regular concrete, achieving 72 MPa (and over 91 MPa with lunar dust), while being simpler and cheaper to produce than current space construction materials, avoiding the impractical use of human blood or urine as binding agents. With a sack of dehydrated potatoes yielding enough starch for nearly half a tonne of StarCrete, the material offers an accessible, low energy alternative to traditional concrete, potentially reducing CO₂ emissions if adapted for terrestrial use and paving the way for more feasible, self-sufficient space construction.

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