Revolutionary 3D-Printed 'Living Material' Purifies Contaminated Water

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a 3D-printed "living material" made of a seaweed-based polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria. This material can clean pollutants from water by transforming them into benign molecules. The bacteria self-destruct in the presence of a specific molecule, eliminating any concerns about genetically modified bacteria lingering in the environment. The material has shown promise in decontaminating dye-based pollutants and offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to water pollution.