This ceramic substrate will not react withoxygen or moisture and is not damaged by temperatures that would significantly warp a conventional plastic optical disc.
But what's novel about the CEAC design is that it incorporates a bio-regenerative life-support system -- the kind of technology that could one day not only feed an outpost on the moon or Mars, but also provide it withoxygen and recycle its water.
Officials packed long metal tubes -- called "carrier pigeons" -- withoxygen, vaccines and sustenance, liquid proteins and vitamins at first because the men were not ready for solid food.