In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have pioneered a new method to integrate living organisms into materials. This innovative approach, announced recently, allows for the creation of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) that can self-repair, adapt to their environment, and even harness solar energy.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, details a diffusion-based method using cyanobacteria, photosynthetic microbes, to infiltrate and transform pre-formed polymers. This allows for the creation of materials that can change shape and respond to environmental changes, all while being powered by sunlight.
The implications of this discovery are vast, spanning sustainable design across multiple industries. The UCSD team's work opens the door to using a wider variety of polymers, even those with harsh precursors, to host living, functional organisms. These materials could revolutionize green construction, regenerative medicine, and zero-waste fashion.
The research team, led by Professors Jinhye Bae and Susan Golden, envisions multi-functional, multi-sensory materials that behave more like biological tissues. Cyanobacteria can be programmed to perform specific tasks, such as breaking down pollutants or producing biofuels. This could lead to self-healing facades, bioactive scaffolds, and other sustainable solutions.
"By integrating photosynthetic organisms into materials science, we can harness the sun's renewable energy to create valuable materials," said Professor Bae. This method could become a cornerstone in post-petroleum design, paving the way for truly circular, regenerative systems. The future of materials science may very well be alive.