Module MADNESS

viral module: how it creates itself

Team India found the most practical and efficient way to construct a lunar colony by assembling structures comprised of only two easily replicable viral modules. The two basic components of the proposed lunar structure are an octahedron combined with a cube. Both geometric objects can begin as a simple plane, such as a square, that can then be folded to create the module through robotic programming with magnetic assistance. With this realization, the octahedron can create itself from say a stack of square planes. We propose that each octahedron square panel will be geometrically comprised of 4 squares; each square is made of 2 triangles that have hinges along the diagonal seam. There will be four magnets each located in the center of the four perimeter edges that create the exterior of the square. One more magnet will be located in the center of the square. The four exterior magnets will turn on and become attracted to the center magnet, forcing the center magnet to rise vertically as the triangles with hinges fold against each other. This allows the octahedron to create itself by using only magnetic force, robotics, and simple geometry. The cube is also a simple folding shape and will recreate itself using the same method of robotics, folding, and magnetic force.

viral module: how it Moves along the moon

As seen in the animation, a few squares are connected so they created a “moving caterpillar” type module. With this system each square can inch its way, using magnetic forces and robotics, to a designated location within the dome and then start recreating itself. We propose that the squares lay flat on top of one another and then begin production starting from the bottom up. The cube caterpillar will follow each octahedron caterpillar and then begin the process of recreation.
viral module: unresolved ideas

• We are currently toiling with the idea that once the octahedrons are created they can easily latch onto the cube through an interlocking, sliding track system or some variation of this.



• One idea is to create a “male” track in the 90 degree angle of the octahedron and a “female” slider that fits into the track through sliding along the outer edges of the cube.



• Another idea, although more difficult, was to diagonally cut a few planes of the cubes so that only triangles remain; those triangles would then somehow slot or interlock with the triangles from the decahedron so form a new square plane.



• We are not sure on how the octahedron and the cube come together as they begin recreating themselves from the caterpillar form.



• One obvious idea is through magnetism, maybe the points of the octahedron connect with magnetism to create a very open wall, then the cubes inches its way up the wall, finds its place, folds to create itself, and then fits easily within the voids of the octahedrons.