An ETH Zurich scientist has shown that bacteria and digital manufacturing can also be used to build free-form architectural elements.
The process is seen as a promising, less energy-intensive alternative to cement. Previously, it has primarily been used to stabilise soils, moulded tiles, and in research.
The research suggests that living bacteria can bond sand and other loose grains together into a solid material by forming calcium carbonate, the mineral that makes up limestone.
The process looks in part like 3D printing (see video below). [Read more…] about ETH Zurich scientists use bacteria to bind sand together for construction