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Bacterial Spore-Based Hygromorphs: A Novel Active Material with Potential for Architectural Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Emily Birch

    (Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Ben Bridgens

    (Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Meng Zhang

    (Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8ST, UK)

  • Martyn Dade-Robertson

    (Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

This paper introduces a new active material which responds to changes in environmental humidity. There has been growing interest in active materials which are able to respond to their environment, creating dynamic architectural systems without the need for energy input or complex systems of sensors and actuators. A subset of these materials are hygromorphs, which respond to changes in relative humidity (RH) and wetting through shape change. Here, we introduce a novel hygromorphic material in the context of architectural design, composed of multiple monolayers of microbial spores of Bacillus subtilis and latex sheets. Methods of fabrication and testing for this new material are described, showing that small actuators made from this material demonstrate rapid, reversible and repeatable deflection in response to changes in RH. It is demonstrated that the hygromorphic actuators are able to lift at least 150% of their own mass. Investigations are also extended to understanding this new biomaterial in terms of meaningful work.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Birch & Ben Bridgens & Meng Zhang & Martyn Dade-Robertson, 2021. "Bacterial Spore-Based Hygromorphs: A Novel Active Material with Potential for Architectural Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:4030-:d:530442
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xi Chen & Davis Goodnight & Zhenghan Gao & Ahmet H. Cavusoglu & Nina Sabharwal & Michael DeLay & Adam Driks & Ozgur Sahin, 2015. "Scaling up nanoscale water-driven energy conversion into evaporation-driven engines and generators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Artem Holstov & Graham Farmer & Ben Bridgens, 2017. "Sustainable Materialisation of Responsive Architecture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Randall M. Erb & Jonathan S. Sander & Roman Grisch & André R. Studart, 2013. "Self-shaping composites with programmable bioinspired microstructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, June.
    4. Ahmet-Hamdi Cavusoglu & Xi Chen & Pierre Gentine & Ozgur Sahin, 2017. "Potential for natural evaporation as a reliable renewable energy resource," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
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