Summary draft 2

The article “Scientists create living concrete from bacteria and sand”(2020) introduces the usage of bacteria in concrete mixes to make concrete that is able to take in CO2. With cement production being one of the world’s leading contributors of CO2 production, researching greener alternatives to cement production have become important to making construction greener.


Many alternative production methods and substitute materials are being explored by researchers but so far none of them can provide cement’s desirable properties. Researchers from University of Colorado Boulder mixed sand, a hydrogel, and bacteria to create a living substance with the strength of cement-based mortar and the prospect to perform photosynthesis.


The researchers 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 known for their ability to survive in extreme environmental conditions, making them ideal candidates for living material.


The bricks made with the mixture are able to be replicated by using a parent “brick”. By breaking a brick and extending the halves to a brick shape with extra sand and hydrogel scaffolding. The bricks will still be able to perform the same biological functions as the parent brick. This can change the way we manufacture and re-use materials for construction.


However, to sustain the bacteria in the brick, there is a tradeoff of the cement’s strength. This is due to the bacteria needing a humid environment to function while the mixture is strongest when it is dry. Currently, this technology is still new and will not replace cement. It represents a possible alternative to cement in construction.


Reference

Corless, V. (2020, January 20). Scientists create living concrete from bacteria and sand. Advanced Science News. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/scientists-create-living-concrete-from-bacteria-and-sand/

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