3. Synthetic biology
If you think 3-D printing has advantages for interplanetary manufacturing, then you’ll be blown away by the potential of synthetic biology — a field that combines biological sciences with engineering. Scientists can combine DNA and biological parts from multiple organisms to create completely new capabilities in another. The possibilities are endless.
DNA is a relatively simple molecule that serves an incredible purpose. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Think about it. A test tube of microbial cells doesn’t take up much storage space and can be frozen for years. Those same cells can be cultured into trillions more, which can be used to turn plentiful Martian compounds into useful chemicals, fuels, electricity, clean water, or just about anything else allowed by chemistry. Theoretically, microbes could turn the colony’s waste into the plastic resin needed for its additive manufacturing base.
Biotechnology can even be used for large-scale, low-grade mining operations for various metals — perhaps brought to Mars from space rocks in the nearby asteroid belt. It may sound like science fiction, but microbial mining has been used economically on Earth for decades. Companies such as Intrexon or Amyris Inc (NASDAQ:AMRS) could be tapped to create efficient industrial microbes for just such a purpose.
Still sound crazy? Amyris Inc (NASDAQ:AMRS), a pioneer of synthetic biology, has already demonstrated its unique ability to engineer life. The company created the world’s first scalable biological process for manufacturing artemisinic acid, a chemical precursor to the malaria wonder-drug artemisinin, which is traditionally grown in plants. Supplying the world with the compound through agricultural means is inefficient and unpredictable. Amyris solved the problem by replicating the biological pathway found in plants in more efficient microorganisms. Although the technology has been transferred to Sanofi, it will soon produce one-third of world demand. Similarly brilliant engineering could be utilized to make a Mars colony completely sustainable and independent from Earth.
Foolish bottom line
Supporting life on Mars — especially 80,000 of them — is going to be quite the challenge. The good news is that humans are an incredibly thrifty species that have time and time again adapted to their surroundings. While innovative companies and individuals are working on technologies that will get us to the Red Planet, future colonists will undoubtedly need to improvise solutions to their problems on the fly. That makes the freedom granted by 3-D printing and synthetic biology platforms that much more important for such an endeavor. So, if you aren’t afraid of having a robot perform appendectomies, printing everyday items from scratch, and drinking water purified by bacteria, then perhaps you have what it takes to live on a Mars colony. It’ll cost you a pretty penny, though.
The article 3 Technologies for Elon Musk’s Trip to Mars originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Maxx Chatsko.
Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko has no position in any stocks mentioned. Check out his personal portfolio, his CAPS page, or follow him on Twitter @BlacknGoldFool to keep up with his writing on energy, bioprocessing, and biotechnology.The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Intuitive Surgical, MAKO Surgical, and Stratasys. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems, Intuitive Surgical, and Stratasys and has the following options: short January 2014 $36 calls on 3D Systems and short January 2014 $20 puts on 3D Systems.
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