Urea mix sample

From human waste to superplasticiser, astronaut urine could become a useful resource for making a robust type of concrete on the Moon.

Researchers found that adding urea to the lunar geopolymer mixture, a construction material similar to concrete, worked better than other common plasticisers.

After water, urea is the most abundant component of human urine. Urea can break hydrogen bonds and reduce the viscosities of fluid mixtures. Urine also contains calcium minerals that help the curing process.