Aalborg University researchers develop living cement

Researchers at Aalborg University are developing the concept of ‘living cement,’ a building material specifically designed to house microorganisms with beneficial properties. According to researcher Qi Luo, while microorganisms can be added to existing cement, designing the material from the outset to serve as a habitat allows for more diverse and effective biological functions.

Key potential applications include self-repairing capabilities, where microorganisms create calcium deposits when exposed to water to fill cracks. Additionally, the research explores using electroactive bacteria to enable cement to store and release energy, effectively allowing buildings to function as large batteries. The project also aims to develop materials capable of absorbing CO2 and reacting to their surroundings.