Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an innovative living material that incorporates photosynthetic cyanobacteria, enabling it to actively extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

This new material can be 3D printed and thrives on sunlight and artificial seawater enriched with nutrients, positioning it as a potential building material for CO2 storage in future constructions.

Laboratory tests indicate that this living material can bind approximately 26 milligrams of CO2 per gram over 400 days, outperforming many biological methods and rivaling chemical mineralization of recycled concrete.

The material's unique properties allow it to absorb significantly more CO2 than it binds through organic growth, storing carbon in both biomass and stable mineral forms.

The hydrogel that houses the cyanobacteria is engineered to optimize the transport of light, CO2, water, and nutrients, ensuring the bacteria remain productive for over a year.

Cyanobacteria are particularly efficient at photosynthesis, capable of converting CO2 and water into biomass even in low light, while also precipitating solid carbonates that enhance the material's mechanical strength.

The research team envisions this living material being used as a coating for building façades, thereby enhancing carbon sequestration throughout a building's lifecycle.

Initial applications of this technology have been showcased at prominent events such as the Architecture Biennale in Venice and the 24th Triennale di Milano, where the effectiveness of the living structures in binding CO2 is being monitored.

This project is part of the ALIVE initiative at ETH Zurich, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to explore the potential applications of living materials.

Led by Professor Mark Tibbitt, the interdisciplinary team has successfully created a material that is alive, grows, and continuously removes carbon from the air.

By combining conventional materials with microorganisms, this research represents a significant step forward in developing environmentally friendly solutions for carbon sequestration.