Scientists breathe into the cement of bacteria to create a living energy device

Microbes are known for their remarkable survival capacities. And now scientists have discovered another remarkable feature: transforming cement into an electricity storage device.

In a study published on September 9 in reports on physical sciences, researchers from the University of Aarhus in Denmark describe how they sowed a bacteria called Shewanella Oneidensis in cement. These particular bacteria are known to be good to transfer electrons to surfaces, and the researchers wondered if they could act as an energy carrier in cement.

Indeed, cement has come to life, bacteria establishing a “network of load carriers capable of storing and released electrical energy,” the researchers said in a press release. In other words, cement could store and release electricity, an observation which could one day allow more sustainable buildings. Even better, the researchers found that even after the death of the microbes, the material could be invigorated by being nourished with nutrients.

A LOVEIVE CEment complex

When microbes are inevitably dead, a simple tip literally brought them back to life. The team has integrated a microfluidic network to provide bacteria with nutrients, and the same channels could be used to “rebalance” the system, recovering up to 80% of the original energy capacity, depending on the study.

“We have combined the structure with the function,” said Qi Luo, principal of the study and civil engineer at Aarhus University.

“The result is a new type of material which can both bear loads and store energy – and which is able to find its performance when provided in nutrients.”

The resulting equipment produces a heavy energy load, the researchers said, even under stress. For example, a constraint test involved putting cement in extreme temperature environments, which it endured with ease. And when the researchers connected six blocks of the cement, the structure generated enough power to light an LED light.

The future of sustainable construction?

Cement is relatively cheap compared to most materials, which facilitates the scale. Bacteria is also abundant in nature, which means that technology is durable to its heart. That said, more work is necessary to take what is a concept proof document by being a material ready for the market.

“We are considering this technology integrated into real buildings, within walls, foundations or bridges, where it can support renewable energy sources such as solar panels by providing local energy storage,” said Luo.

“Imagine an ordinary room built with cement infused with bacteria: even a modest energy density of 5 Wh / kg, the walls alone could store approximately 10 kWh, enough to keep a standard business server for a whole day.”