Designer bacteria that can repair earthquake-damaged concrete buildings

The genetically modified microbe has been programmed to swim down fine cracks in concrete and once at the bottom it produces a mixture of calcium carbonate and a bacterial glue. This glue combines with the filamentous bacterial cells, ultimately hardening to the same strength as the surrounding concrete and essentially "knitting" the building back together.

The bacterium tweaked by the researchers is called Bacillus subtilis and is commonly found in soil. Accordingly, the research team calls its building-healing agent "BacillaFilla."

The agent was developed with the goal in mind of prolonging the life of structures that are environmentally costly to construct.


"Around 5 percent of all man-made carbon dioxide emissions are from the production of concrete, making it a significant contributor to global warming," said joint project instructor Jennifer Hallinan, a research fellow in complex systems at the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom. "Finding a way of prolonging the lifespan of existing structures means we could reduce this environmental impact and work towards a more sustainable solution."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40201539/ns/technology_and_science-green_innovation/