A new effort to construct lunar infrastructure using 3D printing is underway in Italy, where the GLAMS Project (Geopolymers for Additive Manufacturing and Lunar Monitoring) is experimenting with cement binders derived from lunar regolith. Funded by ASI, the Italian Space Agency, this two-year initiative reduces costs and resource consumption by harnessing Moon-based materials rather than relying on terrestrial supplies. Researchers showcased the first 3D printed geopolymer samples at the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milano, signaling a step forward in extraterrestrial building methods.
University of Padua’s Center for Space Studies and Activities “Giuseppe Colombo” (CISAS) coordinates GLAMS in partnership with the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Energy Technologies of the CNR, an Italian research institution located in Genoa, and WASP, the Italian 3D printing technology specialists. The project team, led by Professors Luca Valentini, Carlo Bettanini, and Dr. Giorgia Franchin, has spent months refining geopolymer binders created through chemical activation of lunar soils. Foaming agents selected by the CNR research unit make it possible to achieve a macro-porous internal structure, and WASP has begun turning these formulations into larger-scale prototypes. Further development includes integrating sensor networks to detect micrometeoroid impacts, a hazard common in off-Earth environments.
Researchers plan to adapt these geopolymer blends to withstand significant temperature swings, reduced gravity, and variable atmospheric pressure on the Moon. One of the key technologies is the WASP 40100 LDM printer, introduced here with a liquid deposition modeling process designed for ceramic and cement-like materials. This machine features a sizable build area that accommodates medium-scale structures, offering potential for in-situ fabrication of habitats or shielding components. Monitoring strategies—supervised by Bettanini’s team—include embedded sensors, which could provide early warnings for damage and structural fatigue in hostile lunar conditions.
WASP’s Sustainable Innovations at Formnext 2024
Last year, WASP unveiled at Formnext several sustainable technologies aimed at addressing environmental concerns in architecture, manufacturing, and design. WASP introduced innovations such as a circular recycling system for plastics, a dynamic multicolor extrusion process, and large-scale printing solutions using geopolymer materials. The company demonstrated 3D printed geopolymer modules developed with Eindhoven University that replace clay, reduce energy usage, and accommodate plant growth and wildlife habitats. These modules maintain chemical and mechanical durability while reducing CO₂ emissions.
WASP also highlighted its use of synchronized 3D printers to construct low-carbon buildings, such as the 100 m² prototype built for the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona. These projects use locally sourced soils and natural materials to lower construction-related CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the company’s work with rrreefs demonstrated coral reef modules printed with WASP 40100 Production systems, contributing to marine ecosystem regeneration through additive manufacturing.
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