Modular lunar surface construction using geopolymer-based composites

结构预制板通常组装成薄壁结构元件，用工程土回填。模块化复合板可以由小型机器人远程和自主组装，因为组装的重量轻且简单，这为几种应用提供了优势，例如在地球上发生灾害（即野火，洪水和飓风）时开发临时住房，以及月球上的人类栖息地和基地。模块化结构的外星应用的想法是在2014年首次提出的。用于模块化面板3D打印的优化的地质聚合物基复合材料，以及复合模块化面板与月球和火星风化层的相互作用还有待研究。该合作伙伴关系的目标是利用土壤、废物（和采矿）残留物和天然生物纤维等原位资源，用地质聚合物复合材料制造模块化结构面板。开发的地质聚合物将用于在现场3D打印模块化面板。该研究的成果将是一种产品，可用作主要建筑元素，以促进月球栖息地或地球偏远地区的模块化自主建筑。拟议研究计划的成果将有助于在未来几十年内维持加拿大航天建筑业在月球和火星开发和探索方面的领先地位。这与加拿大航天局（加空局）的月球表面探索倡议（LSEI）相一致，该倡议旨在使加拿大能够为国际月球表面探索提供关键能力。在有限的施工季节内使用机器人施工技术快速自主地建造模块化结构，使其也成为受气候变化影响的偏远北方地区施工季节较短的施工替代方案。

Structural pre-fabricated panels are commonly assembled to form thin-walled structure elements that are backfilled with engineered soil. The modular composite panels can be assembled remotely and autonomously by small robots due to the lightweight and simple protocol of assembly which gives the advantage for several applications such as the development of temporary housing in the event of disasters (i.e. wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes) on Earth, as well as the human habitats and bases on the Moon. The idea of extraterrestrial application of modular structures was initiated for the first time back in 2014. The optimized geopolymer-based composite for 3D printing of the modular panels, and the interaction of composite modular panels with Lunar and Martian regolith are yet to be studied. The goal of this partnership is to fabricate Modular Structural Panels from Geopolymer Composite using in-situ resources such as soils, waste (and mining) residuals, and natural biofibres). The developed geopolymer will be used to 3D print the modular panels at the site. The outcome of the research would be a product that can be used as the primary construction element to facilitate modular autonomous construction for lunar habitats or in remote areas on Earth. The outcomes of the proposed research program will contribute to sustaining the Canadian space construction industry forefront of Lunar and Martian developments and exploration over the next couple of decades. This is in alignment with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Lunar Surface Exploration Initiative (LSEI) initiatives to position Canada to provide key capabilities for international lunar surface exploration. The rapid and autonomous construction of modular structures using robotic construction technology within the limited construction season makes it also a construction alternative in remote northern regions affected by climate change with shorter construction seasons.