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A Scientific Advance Promises to Transform Construction. Researchers from Denmark Have Created the World’s First Living Cement, Capable of Storing Electricity Inside Its Own Walls, Recovering Performance with Nutrients and Withstanding Even Extreme Conditions.
Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark have announced an advance that could transform the way we perceive building materials. The group has created the world’s first living cement, capable of storing electricity while also supporting walls and foundations.
Cement with Living Bacteria
Cement has always been seen as an inanimate material. This view started to change when scientists added the bacteria Shewanella oneidensis, known for its ability to transfer electrons out of its cell, to the cement.
With this integration, the cement gained a new function. The microbes form a network of charge carriers within the structure, allowing the material to store and release energy.
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According to lead researcher Qi Luo, this represents the union of structure and function, because the cement not only supports weight but also stores electricity.
Moreover, initial tests show that the material outperforms traditional cement-based storage devices.
Performance Recovery
One of the most surprising findings is that the cement continues to operate even after the death of the microbes. When it receives nutrients, the material can recover up to 80% of its original capacity.
This process is made possible by a microfluidic system integrated into the cement. It supplies proteins, vitamins, salts, and growth factors that keep the bacteria alive or revive those that are already inactive.
Therefore, living concrete can be considered a recoverable energy system. Practically speaking, scientists claim entire buildings could become energy reservoirs, reducing the constant need for battery replacements.
Testing in Extreme Conditions
The material has been tested in freezing environments and also in scenarios of intense heat. In both cases, it managed to store and discharge energy.
Six connected blocks produced enough electricity to power a LED light bulb. This result reinforces the potential for use in different regions and climates.
Luo emphasized that the technology is not just a laboratory experiment. The goal is to integrate it into real constructions, such as walls, foundations, and bridges. Thus, the cement could store energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels, providing local storage capacity.
Practical Potential
The researcher explained that even modest performance can have a significant impact. A room built with living cement could store about 10 kWh. This would be enough, for example, to keep a corporate server running for an entire day.
This possibility paves the way for a self-sustaining infrastructure. Instead of installing conventional batteries, builders could simply erect walls that function as energy storage.
Alternative to Traditional Batteries
The advance comes at a time when the demand for sustainable storage is growing. Current batteries depend on limited resources, such as lithium and cobalt, and degrade over time.
In contrast, the system created by the Danish team uses abundant and inexpensive materials, along with natural bacteria. Moreover, it operates on a much larger scale than conventional devices.
Therefore, the research suggests a future where houses and buildings can act as their own batteries, storing energy directly within their structures.
Scientific Publication
The results of the study were published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science. The article describes not only the development process but also the application scenarios of living cement.
According to the authors, the findings indicate that the next generation of infrastructure could be both structural and electrical. In other words, entire buildings could store the energy they consume, changing the concept of architecture and energy.
The study was published in the journal Reports Physical Science .
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