Good old cup of tea could help colonise Mars
The noble cup of tea has been credited with much over the years, but scientists now claim it could help mankind colonise Mars.
Researchers at Imperial College London have found a way to modify the bacteria normally found in fermented tea, which could give them the ability to manufacture a wonder material on demand.
Bacterial cellulose is already harvested to manufacturer a range of products including materials for headphones and leathers substitutes in clothes.
But the discovery of how to use DNA tools to control and engineer a strain of bacteria found in kombucha tea now enables scientists to customise cellulose production and control the shape and size of the material as it grows.
The Imperial College team say the technique could be used to develop fabric with in-built sensors that could change colour as it detects toxins.
The material could also be used to remove contaminants from water supplies.
The ability to grow and control the cellulose from just a few microbes means astronauts could potentially develop the material to start building components of human colonies on other planets once they arrive, rather than transporting readymade materials with them.
Dr Tom Ellis, senior lecturer at Imperial College, said Bacterial cellulose is a remarkable material that is malleable, safe and strong.
He said the team would now explore future uses with NASA scientists.
