Last November, Min Dong set out with China’s 42nd Antarctic expedition team. He is a researcher at the Polar Human Settlement Environment Research Center of the Advanced Technology Research Institute of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau and a member of the Grove Mountains team of the 42nd expedition. The purpose of this trip was to field-test a new type of modular mobile Antarctic inland cabin (hereinafter referred to as the “Polar Cabin”) independently developed by his team.

On April 9, the expedition team returned home successfully. On the 15th, Min Dong was interviewed. Speaking about the Polar Cabin’s performance, he said proudly: “The expedition members all praised it, saying that long-standing difficult problems like using the toilet and taking showers have really been solved this time!”

Once Dared Not Drink Water After 8 PM

Traversing 800 kilometers of snowfield, enduring 50 days of on-site application.

Min Dong assembling the Polar Cabin in Antarctica.

Before departure, Min Dong was mentally prepared for the hardships of Antarctica, but only after actually experiencing life in the old cabin did he understand the “difficulties” the veteran team members spoke of.

The old cabin had no independent bathroom. Every time one needed to use the facilities, they had to leave the living quarters and go to a dedicated toilet cabin, exposing themselves to the outdoors at minus 20 to 30 degrees Celsius for a period. Min Dong said: “Because using the toilet was inconvenient, team members would control their diet and drink less water. When I stayed in the old cabin, I tried not to drink water after 8 PM.”

The new Polar Cabin is equipped with an independent bathroom featuring an automatic packing toilet. The waste collection bag is automatically heat-sealed, preventing odors. “Team members told me this was the first time they didn’t have to worry about going to the toilet during an inland field expedition,” Min Dong said.

Antarctica is covered in ice and snow, but the snow there is very dry; it takes over 3 liters of snow to melt into 1 liter of water. Previous snow-melting efficiency was low, and there were no shower facilities. Water was reserved solely for drinking and cooking.

A veteran team member said that on previous inland trips, lasting about 60 days round trip, they couldn’t shower at all. Upon returning to base camp, the first thing they would do was rush to the bathhouse. “Every time, a layer of grime would be scrubbed off, clogging the drain.”

The Polar Cabin specifically includes a shower module, equipped with a high-efficiency snow-melting shower system. One veteran team member, who has been to Antarctica over ten times, wrote in his diary after showering in the module: “Before, we could only wipe ourselves down with wet wipes. Being able to shower now is an unprecedented experience.”

Building a “Harbor” for Scientific Expedition Members

Interior view of the Polar Cabin.

The Polar Cabins deployed on this expedition totaled three: one shower module and two living quarters modules.

The living quarters module is 6 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 3.2 meters high, housing four people. It contains two bunk beds, two computer desks, and some cabinets.

The cabin walls are specially designed, with an insulation coefficient much higher than the standard for China’s severe cold Zone A. “The old cabins weren’t sealed particularly well. People sleeping on the lower bunks felt cold and needed electric blankets and quilts, while the hot air rose, making those on the upper bunks feel too hot,” Min Dong explained. The Polar Cabin is equipped with a fresh air system that circulates indoor air, ensuring an even perceived temperature. In the field at minus 40 degrees Celsius, the indoor temperature is maintained between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.

The cabin roof is fitted with photovoltaic panels. In travel mode, photovoltaic power generation provides heating for the cabin. After setting up camp, it switches to a diesel generator. During风雪天气 with insufficient sunlight, power can also be supplied via energy storage batteries. The cabin structure is like Lego blocks; assembling them into a camp takes only half an hour, and disassembly takes just over ten minutes. Flexible alignment devices allow it to adapt well to the uneven, pitted snow surfaces on-site, and no screw tightening is required.

Thought was also given to the interior colors. The cabinets are yellow, the floor is warm gray, and the walls are beige—all warm tones. “Outside, it’s a vast expanse of white, giving a sense of loneliness. Inside the cabin, we want to give team members a feeling of being in a harbor,” Min

Grove Mountains

The Grove Mountains are a group of isolated peaks in East Antarctica, first discovered by Australian explorers in the 1950s. They are significant as a major site for Chinese Antarctic scientific research, particularly for the collection of meteorites, with the first Chinese expedition there occurring in 1998.

Antarctica

Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent, a vast, icy wilderness with no permanent human population and governed internationally by the Antarctic Treaty System. Historically, it was the last continent to be discovered, with its first confirmed sighting in 1820, and later became a focal point for heroic-era exploration in the early 20th century. Today, it is a continent dedicated to peace and scientific research, hosting numerous international stations studying climate, geology, and unique ecosystems.

Polar Cabin

The Polar Cabin is a historic wooden hut located in Antarctica, originally built by the British explorer Robert Falcon Scott during his 1911 Terra Nova Expedition. It served as a vital shelter and supply depot for his team’s tragic attempt to reach the South Pole. Today, it stands as a protected heritage site, preserved as a monument to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

old cabin

An old cabin is a simple, rustic wooden structure, typically built by early settlers, pioneers, or homesteaders as a basic shelter in rural or wilderness areas. Historically, these cabins were constructed from local materials like logs and served as family homes, trapping outposts, or temporary shelters during westward expansion in places like North America. They symbolize self-reliance and frontier life, with many preserved today as historical sites.

toilet cabin

A toilet cabin, commonly known as a portable toilet or porta-potty, is a small, self-contained sanitation unit designed for temporary use at outdoor events, construction sites, or areas lacking permanent plumbing. Its modern form emerged in the mid-20th century, with key developments in lightweight materials and waste containment systems making them easily transportable and hygienic. Today, they are a ubiquitous feature of temporary gatherings and worksites worldwide.

shower module

A “shower module” typically refers to a prefabricated, self-contained bathroom unit used in modern construction, particularly in hotels, dormitories, and modular buildings. Its history is tied to advancements in industrial manufacturing and efficiency in the 20th century, allowing for quick installation and consistent quality. While not a traditional cultural site, it represents a significant innovation in architectural and building practices.

living quarters module

A living quarters module is a self-contained habitat unit, originally developed for space stations like Skylab and Mir, designed to provide astronauts with essential living and working space in orbit. These pressurized modules serve as the primary residential areas, containing sleeping berths, hygiene facilities, and communal areas, and their design principles have directly influenced the core modules of the International Space Station.

bathhouse

A bathhouse is a public facility for bathing, historically significant in many cultures such as ancient Roman thermae, which served as social and civic centers. In places like Japan, traditional sentō or onsen have long been important for communal hygiene and relaxation. While their prominence has declined with private bathrooms, many remain as cultural landmarks or modern wellness spas.