Andy
This is the first time an engineered photosynthetic material has been physically robust enough for real-world applications, such as textiles and wound-healing.
For the first time, researchers have used 3D printers and a new bioprinting technique to print algae into tough, resilient living, photosynthetic materials.
- The material is biodegradable and focused on the sustainable production of energy.
- As well as applications in the textile industry, this new form of printed algae could be used in medicine to help wounds heal faster.
The plant-like nature of the material means it can use photosynthesis to “feed” itself over periods of many weeks, and it’s also able to be regenerated—a small sample of the material can be grown onsite to make more materials.
