Swiss scientists develop CO2-Absorbing 'Living' material
Scientists at ETH Zurich have invented a 3D-printable gel packed with cyanobacteria—tiny ancient organisms that naturally soak up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air.
This "living" material not only locks away carbon but also gets stronger over time by building up minerals, making it a cool step forward for eco-friendly construction.
How the material works
The hydrogel is designed so light, water, and CO2 can reach the bacteria inside.
As the cyanobacteria do their thing, they trap carbon in two ways: turning it into plant-like mass and forming minerals like limestone, which helps make the material sturdier while storing more carbon.
Material can absorb as much CO2 as a tree
Used as a building coating, this material can absorb about 18kg of CO2 per year—the same as a fully grown pine tree.
The team is now tweaking the bacteria and improving nutrients to help buildings capture even more carbon in the future.