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

Aug 10, 2026

1 min

Experts on earthquake response, community recovery and building safety

The shaking from a major earthquake may be over in minutes, but its consequences will last for years. University of Delaware experts can address emergency response, distributing aid, assessing damaged buildings, helping vulnerable communities and planning for long-term recovery. Their expertise is particularly relevant as communities across Latin America respond to major earthquakes, including the deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia. Tricia Wachtendorf, co-director of UD’s Disaster Research Center, offers expertise on how governments, nonprofits, emergency responders and community groups coordinate following a major disaster. Her research examines the role of spontaneous or “emergent” groups, humanitarian aid and donations, and how communities and organizations respond in the aftermath of disasters. Jennifer Trivedi, associate professor of anthropology and Disaster Research Center faculty member, specializes in disaster vulnerability and why some communities are more severely affected than others. She also addresses the long-term recovery needs and planning that emerge after the immediate crisis. Michael Chajes, professor of civil and environmental engineering, provides expertise on the structural damage caused by earthquakes, why some buildings collapse while others withstand the shaking and how engineers assess damaged structures and improve earthquake resilience. To arrange an interview with one of these experts, visit their profiles and click on the contact button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Aug 5, 2026

1 min

Mapping the ancient world with underwater robotics

As audiences flock to theaters for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, University of Delaware professor Art Trembanis is leading a real-life expedition to uncover one of ancient Greece's most important maritime landscapes. Trembanis, a professor in UD's School of Marine Science and Policy and an expert in seafloor mapping, marine robotics and underwater sensing technologies, recently led a team of students and researchers to the ancient harbor of Kenchreai, where they deployed autonomous underwater vehicles, advanced sonar systems and other cutting-edge mapping technologies to document a harbor that has remained hidden beneath the Mediterranean Sea for centuries. The expedition collected geospatial data that will allow researchers to reconstruct the ancient port in remarkable detail and ultimately create a "digital twin" of the site. The virtual model will enable archaeologists, engineers, students and the public to explore the harbor as if the water had been removed, preserving an invaluable piece of cultural heritage while advancing the use of marine technology in archaeology. Trembanis can discuss: Marine robotics and autonomous underwater vehicles Seafloor mapping and underwater imaging technologies The use of digital twins and 3D modeling to study underwater environments Advances in marine geospatial technology and ocean exploration Underwater archaeology and documenting submerged cultural heritage How engineering and marine science are transforming the study of oceans and ancient landscapes The role of emerging technologies in scientific discovery and education To arrange an interview with Trembanis, click on his profile or email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Jul 28, 2026

1 min

How Wildfires Impact Vulnerable Communities, Pets and Public Health Systems

Wildfires burning across the world, now in parts of France and Spain, are forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. University of Delaware experts are available to discuss wildfire evacuations, vulnerable communities, animal rescue and the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure. Those experts, from UD’s Disaster Research Center, include: Sarah DeYoung Professor of sociology and criminal justice: • How people are forced to make split-second decisions involving horses, livestock and companion animals during fast-moving wildfires. • Why some owners must turn animals loose when evacuation time is limited. • Lessons from past disasters and animal rescue research. Jennifer Trivedi Assistant professor of anthropology: • The unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during wildfires. • Complications surrounding evacuation decision-making and evacuation needs. • Long-term recovery following catastrophic disasters. Jennifer Horney Chair of UD’s Department of Epidemiology: • Health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure, including respiratory infections. • How wildfire smoke and airborne pollutants affect population health. • The strain major wildfires can place on public health and health care systems. To arrange an interview with these experts, visit their profile page and click on the "contact" button. Interested journalists can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.