Washington: Scientists have used bacteria to create synthetic mother-of-pearl that is tough but bendable, and could be used as medical implants or for constructing buildings on the Moon in future. Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl is an exceptionally tough, stiff material produced by some mollusks and serving as their inner shell layer. It also comprises the outer layer of pearls, giving them their lustrous shine.
However, while nacre’s unique properties make it an ideal inspiration in the creation of synthetic materials, most methods used to produce artificial nacre are complex and energy intensive. Scientists at the University of Rochester in the US invented an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method for making artificial nacre using an innovative component: bacteria.
The artificial nacre is made of biologically produced materials and has the toughness of natural nacre, while also being stiff and bendable. In a research published in the journal Small, the team outlined their method of using two strains of bacteria to replicate these layers.
One of the most beneficial characteristics of the nacre produced at the University of Rochester is that it is biocompatible — made of materials the human body produces or that humans can eat naturally anyway.
This makes the nacre ideal for medical applications like artificial bones and implants, Anne S Meyer, an associate professor at University of Rochester. “If you break your arm, for example, you might put in a metal pin that has to be removed with a second surgery after your bone heals. A pin made out of our material would be stiff and tough, but you wouldn’t have to remove it,” she said. —PTI