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Scientists in Montana Create Construction Material with Living Fungi and Bacteria That Form Resistant and Regenerative Structures
In a laboratory in the state of Montana, scientists are developing a new type of construction material that grows like a living organism. Unlike cement or brick, it is cultivated with fungi and bacteria, with the ability to regenerate. The discovery was published on April 16 in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.
Mycelium as a Base
The base of the material is mycelium, a filamentous structure that fungi use to expand. The team used the species Neurospora crassa, known for its rapid growth. Mycelium forms a dense network, similar to a sponge, which serves as a support for the rest of the structure.
According to Chelsea Heveran, assistant professor at Montana State University and one of the authors of the study, mycelium is essential for controlling the internal architecture of the material.
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This allowed scientists to reproduce shapes similar to osteons — circular structures found in human bones, responsible for providing strength and nutrition to the skeleton.
Biomineralization Comes into Play
To give the material strength, scientists applied a process called biomineralization. This involves using microorganisms to create minerals, such as calcium carbonate — found in shells and limestone.
The fungus used can already initiate this process. But the team went further and introduced the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii, specialized in transforming urea into calcium carbonate.
With this technique, the structures were completely mineralized in just 24 hours. And the result was exciting: the material became more rigid and firm.
Under the microscope, it was possible to see calcium carbonate forming a crystalline network that connected the mycelium filaments. The effect was an increase in stiffness and stability of the structure.
Material That Remains Alive
Even after mineralization and drying at high temperatures, the living elements of the material remained alive for at least four weeks. This is a significant advancement compared to other living materials created in the laboratory, which tend to lose function very quickly.
Despite this, the scientists themselves admit that the technology is still not ready to replace cement on a large scale.
Limitations and Future
The tests indicate that the new material is still not durable or strong enough to replace concrete in all applications. “Biomineralized materials do not have enough strength to replace concrete in all applications, but we and others are working to improve their properties so that they can have greater use,” explained Chelsea Heveran.
Even so, the results already surpass those obtained with other living materials created previously. The so-called ELMs (engineered living materials) based on hydrogels tend to dry out or collapse quickly. Mycelium offers a more resilient and adaptable structure.
Another advantage is flexibility. Mycelium can be easily shaped and adapted to include channels and internal cavities. This could allow the creation of systems similar to blood vessels within walls or beams, something impossible with materials like cement.
Scaling Challenge
Large-scale manufacturing is still one of the main challenges. The team now wants to test ways to extend the durability of the material for months or even years, in addition to exploring new possible functions.
Despite being in its early stages, the work paves the way for a future with more eco-friendly and living construction materials. And that, in itself, already represents an important step.
With information from ZME Science.
Muito interessante a pesquisa, agradeço a informação, vou acompanhar o desenvolvimento, acho que é muito promissor, sobretudo para manutenção de estruturas.