Speaker
Description
This study presents the design and structural analysis of sustainable lunar habitats
utilizing the recently developed regolith-PEEK composite bricks. Building on Torre et
al.'s groundbreaking research (2025), which demonstrated that regolith composites
with minimal thermoplastic binder content (5-10 wt%) exhibit mechanical properties
suitable for construction applications, we propose modular habitat designs that
leverage these innovative materials. Our structural models incorporate interlocking
brick systems that eliminate the need for mortar and enable rapid assembly by
autonomous systems. Through finite element analysis under lunar environmental
conditions, we evaluate various architectural configurations including Nubian vault-
inspired designs that provide self-supporting structures with optimal radiation
shielding. The models demonstrate that habitats constructed with these composites
can withstand thermal cycling (-178°C to +124°C), vacuum conditions, and reduced
gravity while providing essential protection against micrometeorite impacts and
cosmic radiation. This approach significantly reduces Earth-sourced material
requirements, with only 5-10% of construction mass needing to be transported from
Earth. The proposed designs represent a critical advancement in sustainable lunar
infrastructure development, enabling long-term human presence through efficient in-
situ resource utilization and addressing key challenges in establishing
permanent lunar outposts