ETH Zurich scientists bind sand into cement using bacteria
Scientists at ETH Zurich successfully bound sand grains together into solid building-grade cement using living bacteria.
Standard cement creation demands extreme heat and consumes vast power, creating significant carbon emissions for the planet. Discovering a greener option could transform how the building sector operates today and tomorrow.
Swiss researchers utilize a specific living bacteria called Sporosarcina pasteurii to settle between sand particles and link them firmly. This process forms calcium carbonate, which is found naturally in limestone, chalk, and mussel shells throughout the world.
The research group led by Karen Antorveza Paez developed two distinct ways to make this biocementation technology work successfully. The first method combines biocementation with 3D printing to create special bio-ink that contains water, sand, and living bacteria.
The second approach employs a robotic arm to deposit the mixture of sand and bacteria onto a surface layer by layer. This automated system functioned non-stop for half a year, proving it can work without needing constant human oversight.
“You've got the dough, which is still very malleable and delicate. Only the oven can turn it into something solid.”