Scientists Create Oxygen-producing Paint Using Live Bacteria
Scientists from the University of Surrey created an innovative paint that contains oxygen-producing bacteria capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2). Researchers suggest this paint, known as ‘biocoating,’ could be used in extreme environments, such as space stations. Biocoatings are a type of water-based paint that encases live bacteria within layers. Besides capturing carbon, they can also serve as bioreactors or as biosensors.
The bacteria within the biocoating produced up to 0.4 g of oxygen per gram of biomass per day and captured CO2. Continuous measurements of oxygen have shown no signs of decreasing activity over a month.
Surrey’s creation, named ‘Green Living Paint,’ features Chroococcidiopsis cubana, a bacterium that s is usually found in the desert and requires little water for survival. Classified as an extremophile, it can survive these extreme conditions.