Posted on 01/16/2020 9:20:20 AM PST by BenLurkin
The team used a 3D sand–hydrogel scaffold that they inoculated with Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (Synechococcus) — a photosynthetic cyanobacterium that converts CO2 to sugars during photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria are well known to survive extreme environmental conditions, including high and low temperature, salinity, and humidity, making them ideal candidates for living materials.
These new materials are also capable of being regenerated from one parent “brick” using temperature and humidity switches. This corresponds to cycles of incubation at 37 °C, followed by low-temperature storage, where the gelatin matrix solidifies and encapsulates the bacteria.
Splitting one brick in half and extending its shape using additional sand and hydrogel scaffolding, Sruber and his co-workers demonstrated the creation of eight new bricks (three successive generations) from a single parent. According to Sruber, this will no doubt shift the way in which we think about current manufacturing practices and how we re-use materials.
However, a trade-off exists between biological viability and mechanical performance because the gelatin gains its maximal strength when dehydrated and the bacteria requires humidity to function. A balance between these two factors was required for this class of living building material, but the researchers believe that the process could be optimized by exploring the use of additives to enhance bacteria tolerance to dry conditions.
Although this technology is still in its infancy and is not intended to completely replace cement completely, it represents a new frontier in material manufacturing: a new class of responsive materials “in which structural function is complemented by biological functions.”
(Excerpt) Read more at advancedsciencenews.com ...
Interesting! Will PETA be defending the ‘rights’ of bacteria now, I wonder?
Printing article for Beau; retired ‘Curb & Gutter’ Man.
He built this city! :)
I’ve been looking for this ever since they cracked most species DNA.
Biological engineering. There was a serious of sci-fi books I read years ago about a race of intelligent dinosaurs sharing Earth with humans, and the dinosaurs had perfected bioengineering. They made a ship out of a giant plesiosaur that had a air chamber they could carry passengers and cargo in, among other things.
West of Eden by Harry Harrison.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_of_Eden
Pave paradise and put up a slime mold lot.
Living concrete?
Will you be my steady friend?
So, that’s how the Dems will manufacture new voters...............
we already have living concrete made from bacteria and sand. It is called Democr.at
What could go wrong?
Wow! BTW how much does 1 brick cost? $.58 at home depot:-)
“Wow! BTW how much does 1 brick cost?”
Sounds like eventually we’ll have to make the bricks an offer.
Bacteria are great at mutating and adapting to their environment. Fast forward 1000 years to the mutant concrete monsters devouring everything in their path.
What could possibly go wrong?
Oh, gawd, could my life get anymore meaningless? I’m a concrete brick.
You mean they finally figured out whats between the ears of democRATS?
Took em long enough.
Clayface from Batman comes to mind.
Will they have ‘rights’?
Adds a whole new meaning to the term “road food.”
*ping*
all i want is for science to create an easy chair that massages and heats for the price of a happy meal
Is that too much to ask?
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