Keynote
Manuel Luque Casanave, Research-professor,
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, Peru
New approaches in biomedical engineering applied to improve the human living conditions on the Moon and on Mars
Abstract
Human long-term habitation on extraterrestrial environments such as Mars and the Moon requires the development of disruptive biomedical engineering technologies, capable of compensating for atmospheric incompatibility and reduced-gravity physiological alterations. This work presents an integrated biomedical-technological proposal focused on two critical challenges for future planetary colonization: autonomous individual respiration support on Mars and adaptive hemodynamic regulation of the lower extremities under hypogravity conditions. The first proposal introduces an innovative photonic respiration-assist system designed to generate breathable oxygen directly from the carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere. The concept is based on the application of high-energy ultraviolet photonic dissociation using specialized laser emitters operating near the 160-167 nm wavelength range. These ultraviolet photons possess sufficient quantum energy to induce molecular bond cleavage in CO₂, enabling photodissociation into oxygen-containing species without dependence on conventional catalytic reactors or high-mass electrolysis systems. The proposed mechanism leverages solar photon energy amplification and ultraviolet photochemistry to reduce energy consumption and system complexity compared with traditional oxygen extraction technologies. This approach may provide a lightweight, scalable, and wearable oxygen-generation platform suitable for extravehicular activities and distributed habitat life-support systems
The second proposal addresses cardiovascular deconditioning and impaired peripheral circulation caused by prolonged exposure to reduced gravity on Mars. A biomedical nanofluidic circulation-enhancement system is proposed to maintain physiological perfusion in the lower limbs equivalent to terrestrial hemodynamic conditions. The system integrates implantable or wearable nanopumps with a closed-loop proportional– integral–derivative (PID) control architecture. Real-time arterial Doppler flow sensors continuously monitor blood velocity and volumetric flow in the lower extremities. These measurements are processed by a nanocontroller that compares the detected hemodynamic parameters against predefined Earth-equivalent perfusion setpoints. Wireless adaptive control signals are then transmitted to the nanopump network to dynamically accelerate or decelerate microcirculatory assistance, thereby stabilizing peripheral perfusion and minimizing venous stasis, muscle atrophy, and orthostatic intolerance. The proposed framework combines photonic engineering, nanobiomedical systems, physiological control theory, and extraterrestrial medicine into a unified strategy for sustaining human health beyond Earth. These concepts may contribute to the next generation of biomedical support technologies for future lunar and Martian missions, offering potential pathways toward autonomous life-support, improved astronaut mobility, and enhanced long-duration planetary survival.
Curriculum Vitae
Manuel Luque Casanave Graduated as a Mechanical-Electrical Engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI). Experienced in the formulation and implementation of biomedical projects in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, England. Graduated as a Systems Analyst from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru Awarded a British Council scholarship for postgraduate studies in control systems at the University of Surrey (UK, 1985–1986); received a USAID/IEE scholarship for an international diploma in energy at TVA/University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (USA, 1988). Awarded a Fulbright Commission scholarship for environmental research, serving as a researcher and visiting professor at the University of Pittsburgh (USA, 1992); received a Swedish government scholarship for technologies regarding environmental protection and prevention in industrial processes under the SIDA/Norköping University agreement (Sweden, 1997).
Professor and researcher at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI). Focuses on designs incorporating innovation and emerging, disruptive technologies. Proposed innovative technologies to NASA aimed at ensuring human survival on the Moon and Mars. Served as the UNI project lead for the NASA HERC design competitions in Huntsville, Alabama (USA) in 2019, 2020, and 2023, securing first place for UNI while competing against over 120 universities worldwide.
Developed an innovative procedure applying Boolean models to address discrete control automation problems known as the Jeans-Luque Method. This innovation was developed in the UK in 1986 in collaboration with Professor Jeans during a scholarship awarded by the British government. It holds two invention patents and one utility design as well as three intellectual property rights.
Presentations featuring innovative engineering proposals at over 150 national and international conferences. Authorship of more than 600 technical articles, papers, essays, and technological proposals published by institutions such as the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (Peru), Universidad Federico Santa María (Chile), the University of Pittsburgh (USA), the University of Texas (USA), the University of Comahue (Argentina), the University of the Andes (Venezuela), and the Universidad San Carlos de Borromeo (Guatemala). In newspapers including *El Comercio* (Peru), *La República* (Peru), *El Mercurio* (Chile), the *Surrey Mirror* (UK), and *Södermanlands Nyheter* (Sweden); and in magazines such as *World Leather* (UK), *Stakeholders* (Peru), *Energía y Mecánica* (Peru), *FONAM* (Peru), and *Visión*, as well as publications by the College of Engineers of Peru, the College of Engineers of Guatemala, the National University of Engineering (Peru), and the Society of Engineers of Peru.
“Hypothesis regarding the “Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Human Beings” in the international journal *Consumidores y Desarrollo* (Consumers and Development), Year XIX/No. 1/January–April 2004, Chile; ISSN 0717-2680. Publication of the hypothesis regarding the interaction between mobile phones and tumors in the international journal *Consumidores y Desarrollo*, Year XIX/No. 3/September–December 2004, Chile; ISSN 0717-2680. https://www.academia.edu/80216344/Radiaciones_electromagn%C3%A9ticas_y_l a_salud
“Optimized Design of a Spinal Prosthesis using Finite Element Structural Analysis” in the journal *Ciencia e Ingeniería* (Science and Engineering), Faculty of Engineering – Universidad de los Andes (ULA), Mérida, Venezuela, Vol. 23, March 2002, No. 1; ISSN 1316-7081. https://alicia.concytec.gob.pe/vufind/Record/UUNI_7f115df5455891483ed4035074 abdcef/Details http://erevistas.saber.ula.ve/index.php/index/search/authors/view?firstName=M.&middleName=H.&lastName=Luque&affiliation=Universidad%20Nacional%20de%20I ngenier%C3%ADa&country=PE
Proposal to the international scientific community of the “Thermomagnetic Hypothesis” regarding the interpretation of the origin of the energy potentially used by Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Argentina / USA 2013 Facebook_: https://www.facebook.com/209412885905003/posts/ufo-variable hypotheses-thermomagneticmanuel-luque-casanave-the-first-scientist /209422015904090/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzMHROJhA7g “Development of an electric wheelchair prototype able to climb steps and controlled by inertial sensors" presented at the 2019 12th Biomedical Engineering International Conference (BMEiCON) by Manuel Luque Casanave and co-authors from the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339255772_Development_of_an_electric_wheelchair_prototype_able_to_climb_steps_and_controlled_by_inertial_sensors
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