Biofabrication
What if, instead of using fossil fuels, minerals and plants to make products, we worked with nature to grow the materials we need? That’s what biofabrication is: literally fabricating with biology, or manufacturing using living cells. Our future living factories are mycelium (from fungi), bacteria, yeast and algae. Biofabricated materials can replace textiles, plastics and construction materials. Many are naturally fire retardant, hydrophobic and biodegradable. Biofabrication pioneer Suzanne Lee gives the example of Biomason, which grows carbon-positive bricks at room temperature that are three times stronger than kiln-fired concrete blocks, representing potential annual CO2 reductions of 800 million tons.
— Wayne Visser
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From Purpose Inspired: Reflections on Conscious Living, Volume 2. Buy on Lulu ↗