This Living Building Material Forms Bone-Like Structures and Could One Day Repair Itself
1 min read
Summary
Scientists from Montana State University have combined fungus and bacteria to create a self-repairing “living material” that could be an alternative to cement.
Neurospora crassa fungus was used to grow a mesh-like scaffold, which was subsequently injected with Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria and placed in a calcium-rich growth formula.
The bacteria converted this into calcium carbonate in just 24 hours.
While the material has not yet been used to create self-repairing structures, the fact the cells remain alive for up to four weeks is a step towards this goal.
A limitation of the process is that the fungus and bacteria cannot be cultured together.
The study has opened the door for high-performance and more sustainable building materials that could also have smart features such as self-repair and power generation.
