The Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Desert-dwelling bacteria that feed on sunlight, slurp up carbon dioxide, and emit oxygen could be incorporated into paint that supplements the air in a habitat on, and scientists have developed a biocoating that emits measurable amounts of oxygen on a daily basis while reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air around it.
"Mechanically robust, ready-to-use biocoatings, or 'living paints,' could help meet these challenges by reducing water consumption in typically water-intensive bioreactor-based processes."is a weird little genus of beasties. If there's a place on Earth you think no life could possibly find purchase, you're likely to find a species of this bacterium there.
This is more challenging than it might seem: the biocoating matrix needs to be porous, to allow for hydration and cell transport, but mechanically robust, and hard. The team developed a method of mixing latex with nanoclay particles that achieved these properties, safely encapsulating their bacteria.
The next step was to make sure that the paint was working as intended, and that the tiny microbes inside it were continuing to live happy, tiny lives. The team observed their coating for 30 days, performing measurements of oxygen output, and COThey found the paint consistently released oxygen at a rate of up to 0.4 grams of oxygen per gram of biomass per day, and that this remained steady for the entire month. That's up to 400 grams of oxygen for every kilogram of paint.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
N.H. scientists are using drones to help find harmful algae bloomsResearchers say drones can detect cyanobacteria blooms faster, and with less hassle, than environmental officials going from lake to lake.
Read more »
Einstein’s Theories Revisited: Scientists Produce “Pseudogravity” Using Photonic CrystalsScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »
Scientists discover deepest known evidence of coral reef bleachingScientists have discovered the deepest known evidence of coral reef bleaching, more than 90 meters below the surface of the Indian Ocean.
Read more »
Rebates can offer solutions to California's groundwater woes, say scientistsMany aquifers in California and around the world are being drained of their groundwater because of the combined impacts of excess pumping, shifts in land use, and climate change. However, a new study by scientists at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, published on Oct. 18 in Nature Water, may offer a solution.
Read more »
Scientists propose super-bright light sources powered by quasiparticlesAn international team of scientists is rethinking the basic principles of radiation physics with the aim of creating super-bright light sources.
Read more »
Scientists turn to quasiparticles for super bright lightInteresting Engineering is a cutting edge, leading community designed for all lovers of engineering, technology and science.
Read more »