What If the Key to Saving Earth Is Building on Mars? | Christos Athanasiou | TEDxAtlanta
What if the answer to climate change, rising seas, and dwindling resources… isn’t just on Earth?Materials scientist and Georgia Tech researcher Christos Athanasiou invites us to imagine a future where innovations for building on Mars can unlock sustainable solutions here at home.From modular architecture made of Martian soil to AI-optimized structures and microbial bioreactors, Christos offers new perspectives on the climate crisis, and why our next great leap may begin 140 million miles away. Christos Athanasiou is redefining how we build for Earth and space.A mechanician, physicist, educator and inventor, he envisions a future where sustainable materials drive construction, reducing carbon emissions and supporting net-zero goals. His research focuses on designing structures using renewably sourced and
recycled materials, advancing both sustainable communities and space exploration.His work has been featured in Forbes and MIT News, and he served as a guest editor for the Journal of Mechanics of Materials on machine learning applications.Born in Athens, Greece, Christos believes education and innovation are catalysts for social change. He holds a doctorate in photonics from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and a master’s in applied physics from the National Technical University of Athens. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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