Session: 03-09-02: Materials for Extreme Environments

Paper Number: 190248

190248 - Graphite-Enhanced Lunar Regolith Geopolymers for Sustainable Lunar Infrastructure 

The development of sustainable construction strategies for future lunar missions requires structural materials capable of enduring extreme thermal cycling, vacuum exposure, and mechanical loading while minimizing energy-intensive processing. Current lunar regolith–based construction approaches frequently depend on elevated-temperature curing or high-energy sintering, which present significant logistical and power challenges for in-situ resource utilization. In this work, an ambient-cured, nanoengineered lunar regolith composite is introduced as a low-energy alternative designed for scalable extraterrestrial infrastructure applications. The material undergoes a self-hardening reaction at room temperature, eliminating the need for external heat input and enabling fabrication in resource-constrained environments. To enhance mechanical performance and environmental durability, nanoscale graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) are incorporated as reinforcing agents, and their concentration is systematically varied to investigate structure–property relationships governing strength, stability, and resistance to thermally induced degradation. The resulting composites demonstrate improved mechanical integrity and enhanced resilience under simulated lunar environmental conditions, including vacuum exposure and repeated thermal cycling. The observed improvements are attributed to nanoscale reinforcement mechanisms that promote crack resistance and microstructural stability while maintaining process simplicity. These findings highlight the potential of ambient-processed, nanoengineered regolith composites as an energy-efficient pathway for enabling long-term, in-situ construction of lunar habitats and supporting infrastructure essential for sustained human presence beyond Earth.

Presenting Author: Andrea Hoe Syracuse University

Presenting Author Biography: Andrea Hoe is a PhD researcher at Syracuse University focusing on advanced materials for sustainable construction and space exploration. Her work explores innovative composite systems and material design strategies aimed at improving performance, durability, and energy efficiency in extreme environments.