Living Concrete
Tatyana L. Povolotsky, Arkadi Kolodkin, Martyn Dade-Robertson & Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
Mummy: how can concrete be alive?
Concrete is crucial for modern construction, forming the foundation of buildings for healthcare, industry, education, and transport. However, its production has a significant environmental impact, contributing 4–8% of global CO2 emissions and driving climate change.
Combining architecture with microbiology offers sustainable solutions. For instance, bacteria can be used to create "self-healing" materials, enhancing durability and reducing environmental costs. Innovations like biofilm communities and stone microbiomes could pave the way for eco-friendly buildings with self-repairing capabilities, transforming traditional construction methods.