Cement manufacturing and repair could be significantly improved by using biocement-producing bacteria, but growing the microbes at construction sites remains a challenge. Now, researchers report a freeze-drying approach in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces that preserves the bacteria, potentially allowing construction workers to ultimately use powder out of a packet to quickly make tiles, repair oil wells or strengthen the ground for makeshift roads or camps.
      • PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat
        0·
        29 days ago

        Oh, I wasn’t even thinking in that direction. I just meant bacteria that produce concrete as a byproduct of their normal life processes, getting loose into the environment and creating concrete everywhere. That other thing would be fun too, though.

  • LastYearsIrritant@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    0·
    29 days ago

    In field tests, freeze-dried bacteria were applied to the surface of 3-foot by 3-foot (about 1-meter by 1-meter) plots, and urea and calcium chloride were sprayed on top.

    So a construction worker with kidney stones peed on it.
    Sounds about right.