Researchers Design An Environmentally-Friendly, Living Material Using Bioprinting

At the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), a team of researchers has created a new photosynthetic and ecological living material using bioprinting and algae. By depositing living algae on a bacterial cellulose, the researchers have found that the combination of these two organic compounds creates a living material, able to carry out a photosynthesis i.e. that it is able to “feed” itself and to regenerate itself thanks to the light. A small sample of this new 3D printed material could therefore be used for various applications, including the creation of artificial leaves, particularly interesting in places where vegetation has difficulty growing, such as in space.

Research into 3D printing materials is becoming more and more advanced: these are the materials that will make a real difference in terms of the mechanical, chemical and aesthetic properties of the final part. Some actors are looking at living materials, aware that nature has a lot to teach us. Recently, we covered a recyclable and edible foam that was used to print several components for Thomas Pesquet’s mission. This one was made from a naturally occurring polymer synthesized by bacteria and proved to be very resistant to vibrations. This time, researchers have turned to algae to create a robust and durable material. This project is just another example of how bioprinting can be used to create living material for a variety of important applications.

A sample of the bio-printed material (photo credits: TU Delft)

The team explains that they used a non-living bacterial cellulose: it is a compound produced and released by bacteria. It is particularly interesting because it is flexible, resistant and retains its shape under any circumstances. This cellulose served as an envelope for the algae deposited layer by layer: thanks to an FDM 3D printer, the researchers deposited a bio-ink composed of microalgae (thus living materials) on the bacterial cellulose. And it is the reaction between these two materials that is particularly interesting.