From fruit to bricks: Hong Kong engineers explore how to build houses on Mars

What happened: Researchers in Hong Kong are developing 3D-printable building blocks for Mars, made from a mixture of sand, gelatine and genetically engineered yeast that produces adhesive proteins. The design was inspired by freeze-dried fruit. Why it matters: The team is testing the blocks under simulated Martian conditions, but transporting equipment and supplying enough energy remain major obstacles. Total: 393 characters.

Researchers in Hong Kong are developing 3D-printable building blocks for Mars, made from a mixture of sand, gelatine and genetically engineered yeast that produces adhesive proteins. The design was inspired by freeze-dried fruit.

The team is testing the blocks under simulated Martian conditions, but transporting equipment and supplying enough energy remain major obstacles. Total: 393 characters.