Two Planet Steel: Forging a Cleaner Future on Earth and Mars
We're constantly inspired by the ideas and creations in the shop, and we are so fortunate to get to work with such a diverse group of people. In the afternoon we’ll be introducing people to household tools and by the evening we’re working with someone prototyping a heat exchanger… for Mars?
Last week, we hosted Rolf Olsen, the founder of Two Planet Steel at the monthly 'geek show and tell' event that is GoTech. He aims to transform steel manufacturing for Earth’s climate and lay the groundwork for steelmaking on Mars.
From Earth’s Depths to Mars’s Surface
Rolf’s talk highlighted the origins of taconite, a key U.S. blast furnace material, formed billions of years ago in the Great Lakes. Cyanobacteria transformed dissolved iron into solid deposits, shaping resources we depend on today. He shared how Mars’s hematite-rich regions, like Meridiani Planum, contain “Martian blueberries”—iron-rich spheres that cover parts of the planet’s surface. He likes to call them "ironberries", we like it : )
Challenges of Steelmaking on Mars
Steel production on Earth demands water, molten metal, and oxygen. On Mars, water scarcity, low gravity, and a CO2-rich atmosphere make this process difficult. Rolf’s research explores water-free methods that utilize Mars’s iron-rich surface materials while reducing the environmental impact of Earth’s steel industry. It’s nice when scientific space research has real benefits here on Earth!
Getting started at Maker Works
Rolf's work has the financial backing of the National Science Foundation, and he's able to make that support go farther by utilizing the tools, space, and knowledge found at Maker Works. We've been fortunate to have a history of startups working out of the shop, it lets people move quickly and save money!
We're looking forward to seeing where Rolf's work takes him. You'll often find him in the Metal Shop, if you see him, ask him about “Ironberries!”
