AI Insight
Researchers from the University of Surrey and the University of Warwick have developed a "permanently wet" coating method that keeps bacteria submerged throughout the entire coating formation process. This approach increases bacterial cell survival by approximately 500 times compared to conventional coating techniques, which typically expose bacteria to drying or other damaging conditions during manufacturing. The method enables living bacteria to be more effectively embedded into functional coatings intended for industrial applications.
Why it matters
This advancement could significantly improve the viability of bacteria-based technologies for wastewater treatment, carbon capture, and biofuel generation, making these bioprocesses more scalable and economically feasible for real-world deployment.
Living bacteria embedded in coatings could clean wastewater, capture carbon and generate biofuels—but only if they survive the manufacturing process. Researchers at the University of Surrey and the University of Warwick have developed a method that keeps bacteria submerged throughout coating formation, increasing the number of surviving cells by around 500 times compared to conventional approaches.