Featured Post from University of Delaware

From clay on the ground to construction on the moon

UD researchers are developing materials to build infrastructure on the moon and beyond

Jul 7, 2026

2 min

Building material samples from the University of Delaware spent six months mounted outside of

the International Space Station, where the harsh conditions of low Earth orbit tested their limits.

Some returned with higher measured strength than identical samples stored on Earth.

The findings are a promising sign for the long-term goal of building infrastructure on the moon.

There are no lunar supply yards, and transporting building materials from Earth would be

prohibitively expensive. The solution may lie underfoot, in the form of lunar dust known as

regolith.

“Regolith is essentially a clay-like silicate material,” said Norman Wagner, Unidel Robert L.

Pigford Chair in Chemical Engineering. “It is one of the most abundant materials on both Earth

and the moon, which makes it interesting for construction.”

Wagner's laboratory develops geopolymers, a cement alternative that binds clays into a strong

solid through chemical reactions rather than high-temperature manufacturing. Their goal is to

use regolith with minimal additives to produce construction materials without energy-intensive

processing. The approach could contribute to more sustainable Earth-based construction, too.

To evaluate how geopolymers hold up in space, the UD team sent thin plates made from

commercially available simulated lunar and Martian regolith to the International Space Station

as part of NASA's MISSE-20 mission.

The findings, published in Advances in Space Research, showed the geopolymers did not

deteriorate, and in some cases were stronger after their time in orbit.

Lunar construction materials must not only survive space conditions, they also must be reliably

manufactured on-site. In a separate study in Acta Astronautica, Wagner's team used artificial

intelligence to tackle a practical challenge: not all lunar clays are the same. The researchers

developed a machine learning model that can predict how strong a geopolymer will be based on

the characteristics of the starting regolith and how it is processed.

Complementary work from the Wagner lab offers insight into how geopolymers behave while

being mixed, pumped and shaped before they harden. The researchers identified a key transition point, known as the critical gel point, at which the material shifts from a workable slurry into a solidifying structure. Mixing or shearing before that point did not affect how long the material took to harden or its final strength. This suggests that engineers may have flexibility in how they handle and process lunar construction materials, without compromising quality.

That work appears in a special issue of the Journal of Rheology focused on materials behavior

beyond Earth.

To speak with Wagner about his space expertise, reach out to mediarelations@udel.edu.

Find Experts

Jul 22, 2026

2 min

Summer slide isn't just about academics

As summer reaches its midpoint, many parents are wondering how to keep their children engaged without turning the rest of the break into summer school. University of Delaware professors from the College of Education and Human Development say "summer slide" is real. However, preventing summer learning loss doesn't require expensive camps, tutors or educational apps. Instead, simple everyday activities can help children build academic skills, executive functioning and social-emotional development before they head back to school. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, internationally recognized expert in child development and early learning can comment on: Why children lose academic skills over the summer – and why the effects are greatest for under-resourced families Why parents shouldn't rely on "educational" apps Free, research-backed ways to keep preschoolers and elementary-age children learning through play, reading and everyday activities like grocery shopping, puzzles and scavenger hunts Andrea Glowatz, expert in special education and child development can comment on: Why boredom is actually good for children – and how it builds creativity, problem-solving and independence How summer routines help children, particularly those with learning differences or neurodivergence Why chores, calendars and family routines strengthen executive functioning, not just responsibility Sara Goldstein, expert in adolescent development and parent-teen relationships can comment on: Why teenagers experience a version of the summer slide through increased screen time, disrupted sleep and reduced activity Healthy ways parents can encourage independence before college, from managing money to building life skills Research showing that strengthening parent-teen relationships during the summer benefits both parents and young adults These experts can also comment on broader parenting topics including screen time, executive functioning, preparing children for the new school year, supporting neurodivergent learners, and helping teens transition to college. If you're planning back-to-school or parenting coverage and want to speak with any of these experts, click on their profiles or email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Jul 17, 2026

1 min

Food safety expert available to discuss emerging health risks

The University of Delaware’s Kalmia Kniel can discuss foodborne parasites and food safety risks, including the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading across the United States. Kniel, a professor of microbial food safety, can explain how foodborne parasites spread, why outbreaks (particularly those involving the Cyclospora parasite) can be challenging to investigate and what consumers should know about reducing their risk of illness. She co-authored a study published in December 2025 that examined challenges researchers face in detecting, studying and controlling Cyclospora cayetanensis, including gaps in understanding the parasite and improving prevention strategies. Kniel can also discuss why fresh produce and water are often a focus during investigations and the steps consumers can take to improve food safety. Kniel’s expertise includes: • Foodborne parasites and illness outbreaks • Produce and microbial food safety • Food contamination and prevention • Food safety research Kniel discussed the biology of this specific pathogen in detail at a recent presentation on cyclospora. To arrange an interview with Kniel, visit her profile page and click the contact button. Interested journalists can else email MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Jul 16, 2026

1 min

Wildfire smoke: Climatologist available to explain air quality and impacts

Wildfire smoke has increasingly affected communities across the United States, including the latest episode in which smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The University of Delaware’s Kevin Brinson is available to explain the atmospheric conditions that allow wildfire smoke to travel long distances and affect regional air quality. Brinson, an assistant research professor and Delaware’s state climatologist, can speak to: • How wildfire smoke travels long distances through the atmosphere. • The role of weather patterns, winds and atmospheric conditions in transporting and dispersing smoke. • How wildfire smoke events are monitored and forecast. • How atmospheric and seasonal weather patterns influence smoke transport and regional air quality. To arrange an interview with Brinson, visit his profile and click the contact button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.