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Sand hardened by bacteria could create roads without using oil
Next Big Future ^ | November 1, 2010 | Brian Wang

Posted on 11/01/2010 5:39:35 PM PDT by decimon

>

The team says that mixing common sand – one of the most abundant resources on the planet – with a solution containing the microorganism Bacillus Pasteurii could result in a cementing process that turns the mix into biologically-engineered hardened sandstone.

After the two are mixed, the solution is sprayed on yet another layer of sand. The microbes act again, solidifying the layer underneath, and resulting in a tough, road-worthy material that can sustain heavy traffic.

>

(Excerpt) Read more at nextbigfuture.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Science
KEYWORDS: bacilluspasteurii
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Also: Biocement research from Murdoch University in Perth to make cement from Bacillus pasteurii and sand

"* In 2002, a Dutch company responded to Ms Whiffin's website and shipped sand samples from Holland for testing.

* They were impressed by the capability of the bacteria to cement sand samples from Dutch dykes that protect the land from rising sea levels.

* a similar technique is being used to clean up strontium spills in the United States at the moment."

1 posted on 11/01/2010 5:39:38 PM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

Well sure...but what about transparent aluminum?


2 posted on 11/01/2010 5:41:11 PM PDT by AndrewB (FUBO)
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To: decimon

I heard France grinds up spent nuclear fuel rods for road surface...is this true?


3 posted on 11/01/2010 5:41:52 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (The Republic of the United States of America)
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To: AndrewB
Well sure...but what about transparent aluminum?

That guy in SF has it, apparently he hasn't worked out all the parameters yet after Scotty gave him the formula.

4 posted on 11/01/2010 5:44:17 PM PDT by calex59
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To: decimon

This is the upside. Everything has a downside. Me thinks they’re leaving that out. No place do I see the word “Practical”.


5 posted on 11/01/2010 5:44:45 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
I heard France grinds up spent nuclear fuel rods for road surface...

They save a lot of power by not having to use their headlights.

6 posted on 11/01/2010 5:45:52 PM PDT by bigheadfred (wogga la hooga)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
I heard France grinds up spent nuclear fuel rods for road surface...is this true?

Mais oui certainment!

Actually, I have no idea.

7 posted on 11/01/2010 5:46:19 PM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

Look at this! They are laying the mix down with a “Pisten Bully”! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VyTCyizqrHs/TM8G9LTQXpI/AAAAAAAAJeo/0Vnjei4g4pA/s1600/paving02.jpg


8 posted on 11/01/2010 5:47:36 PM PDT by WellyP
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Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: decimon; AdmSmith; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; bigheadfred; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Unfortunately, the roads are only one bacteria wide.


10 posted on 11/01/2010 5:57:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (The 2nd Amendment follows right behind the 1st because some people are hard of hearing.)
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To: SunkenCiv
Unfortunately, the roads are only one bacteria wide.

Bacterium.

11 posted on 11/01/2010 5:59:07 PM PDT by decimon
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To: SunkenCiv
Unfortunately, the roads are only one bacteria wide.

Darn! That would make it really hard to pass, wouldn't it?

12 posted on 11/01/2010 6:01:23 PM PDT by OldMissileer (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, PK. Winners of the Cold War)
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To: Sacajaweau

What happens as the road wears and people breathe these little critters in? Just askin’.

Hey, maybe it’s a way to get a jump on rigor mortis. That sounds really cool.


13 posted on 11/01/2010 6:15:01 PM PDT by dools0007world
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To: dools0007world

That was my thought. What happens if these microbes are not controlled?


14 posted on 11/01/2010 6:16:43 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: AndrewB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_aluminium


15 posted on 11/01/2010 6:19:50 PM PDT by tired1 (Federalize the Fed)
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To: decimon

At one point Kudzu was hailed as the ultimate ground cover and shipped over from Japan.

Some things sound good in theory...


16 posted on 11/01/2010 6:20:49 PM PDT by justsaynomore
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To: decimon

At one point Kudzu was hailed as the ultimate ground cover and shipped over from Japan.

Some things sound good in theory...


17 posted on 11/01/2010 6:20:49 PM PDT by justsaynomore
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To: decimon

At one point Kudzu was hailed as the ultimate ground cover and shipped over from Japan.

Some things sound good in theory...


18 posted on 11/01/2010 6:20:53 PM PDT by justsaynomore
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To: justsaynomore

Just say no more, justsaynomore. ;-)


19 posted on 11/01/2010 6:26:01 PM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

Hoepfully, nobody will think it would be a funny prank to get a barrel of these microbes and drop them at a nearby beach.


20 posted on 11/01/2010 6:28:36 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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