A new biomaterial called C-ELM (cyanobacterial engineered living material) is set to revolutionize the construction industry by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Developed by researchers at University College London, C-ELM incorporates living cyanobacteria into translucent panels that can be mounted on the interior walls of buildings.
How C-ELM Works to Sequester Carbon Dioxide?
The cyanobacteria embedded within C-ELM panels grow using photosynthesis, pulling carbon dioxide out of the air. Through a biomineralization process, the microorganisms affix the captured carbon to calcium, creating calcium carbonate and effectively locking away the carbon.
A single kilogram of C-ELM can capture and sequester up to 350 grams of carbon dioxide. In contrast, the same amount of traditional concrete emits as much as 500 grams of carbon dioxide during production. A 150-square-meter wall cladded with C-ELM panels has the potential to lock away approximately one ton of carbon dioxide.
Benefits of C-ELM for Sustainable Building Construction
In addition to its carbon-sequestering properties, C-ELM panels offer a range of cosmetic and structural benefits for buildings:
- Lightweight construction
- Sound-absorbing properties
- Translucent enough to transmit light
- Thermally insulating to enhance energy efficiency
Inspiration from Nature: Stromatolites
Postgraduate student Prantar Tamuli, the developer of C-ELM, drew inspiration from stromatolites—natural stony structures formed over millions of years from sediments trapped by ancient algal mats. By focusing on the cyanobacteria species Kamptonema animale, which grows in long strands, Tamuli and colleagues were able to bind the microorganisms effectively to the surrounding material within the panels.
Potential Impact on the Construction Industry’s Carbon Footprint
The first public demonstration of C-ELM panels took place at the ‘Bioscope’ pavilion in St Andrews Botanic Garden, Scotland. Designed by Studio Biocene, the display showcased low-carbon and low-impact construction methods that mimic a natural environment.
Professor Marcos Cruz from University College London emphasized the tremendous promise of biomaterials like C-ELM. If mass-produced and widely adopted, C-ELM could dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Researchers are now working to scale up the manufacture of C-ELM and further optimize its performance for use in construction.
Key Takeaways
- C-ELM is a new biomaterial that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for sustainable construction.
- Living cyanobacteria in C-ELM panels use photosynthesis to pull CO2 from the air and lock it away as calcium carbonate.
- C-ELM offers benefits such as lightweight construction, sound absorption, light transmission, and thermal insulation.
- Widespread adoption of C-ELM could significantly reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint.
Read more: Norway Plant Pioneers Carbon-Free Concrete
