Materials such as plaster, plastic, or synthetic fabrics—used for sunshades, room dividers, or wall structures—are often derived from fossil fuels. Although durable, they contribute significantly to global emissions and consume resources during production. In contrast, materials made from yeast are biodegradable, sustainable, and generate no waste.
The new biomaterial, invented by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), can be combined with 3D printing technology to produce items for architecture and interior design. The material consists of cellulose wood fibers for strength and structure, alginate from brown seaweed for stability required in 3D printing, vegetable glycerol for plasticity like plastic, and water. When all these components are mixed with yeast—which acts as a binder—and heated, they form a flexible hydrogel that can be shaped.
The resulting gel-like mixture is then 3D printed, allowed to dry naturally at room temperature, and takes the desired shape without needing energy-intensive heating or special tools.
With small adjustments to the formula, architectural components can be produced with varying degrees of transparency and multiple colors, from yellow to brown, as well as various patterned finishes.
Professor Malgorzata Zboinska, head of the research team, said the future prospects of ELM (Engineered Living Materials) are diverse, with potential applications for different purposes, such as self-healing materials or air-purifying materials that neutralize harmful substances and pollutants.
T. TRUC (According to Atlas)
