Revolutionary Living Building Material: Scientists Innovate Eco-Friendly Solution to Capture CO2 from the Air

ETH Zurich Scientists Create Living Building Material That Captures Carbon from the Air

In a groundbreaking advancement at the intersection of materials science and environmental sustainability, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a living building material that not only grows over time but also actively removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This innovation combines hydrogels and photosynthetic cyanobacteria to create a material that stores carbon in both biomass and carbonate minerals, offering a promising route for carbon-neutral construction.

Bridging the Gap Between Architecture and Ecology

Modern architecture is increasingly looking beyond form and function to incorporate environmental responsibility. ETH Zurich’s living material exemplifies the growing movement toward regenerative design, where buildings give back more than they consume.

By transforming structures into biological agents of carbon capture, this material could help cities shift from being carbon sources to carbon sinks. It reflects a wider trend in biodesign and biomimicry, where nature’s strategies inspire built environment solutions that adapt and evolve with their surroundings.

Implications for Urban Carbon Budgets

Urban areas account for over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, much of it tied to construction and energy use. Integrating photosynthetic materials into buildings, sidewalks, or street furniture could open a new chapter in urban carbon accounting—where cities are not just reducing emissions but actively pulling carbon from the air.

Municipalities could incorporate this technology into green infrastructure mandates, especially in climate-forward cities looking to meet aggressive net-zero targets. Pilot programs could assess how these materials perform in polluted, shaded, or temperate urban environments.

A Living, Carbon-Capturing Material

Led by Professor Mark Tibbitt, an interdisciplinary team at ETH Zurich has successfully embedded cyanobacteria—photosynthetic microorganisms—into a 3D-printable hydrogel. These bacteria convert atmospheric CO₂ into biomass while also promoting the formation of solid carbonates. This innovative approach allows the material to sequester carbon in two stable forms.

“The material can grow, harden, and continuously capture CO₂,” says Tibbitt. “It holds potential as a low-energy, environmentally friendly building material that could supplement existing methods of carbon capture in architecture and infrastructure.”

How It Works: Photosynthesis and Mineralisation

Cyanobacteria are among Earth’s oldest life forms and are highly efficient at photosynthesis. When integrated into the gel structure, they absorb CO₂ and light to grow, while also altering the surrounding chemical environment to cause the precipitation of carbonate minerals—such as lime—within the material. These minerals reinforce the structure mechanically and serve as long-term carbon sinks.

The material requires only sunlight, artificial seawater, and basic nutrients to thrive. Its performance has been validated in lab conditions. In long-term tests, the material continuously captured CO₂ over 400 days, binding about 26 milligrams of CO₂ per gram of material, significantly outperforming other biological and some chemical methods of sequestration.

Designed for Performance and Longevity

The supporting hydrogel is carefully engineered to transport light, CO₂, water, and nutrients, allowing the cyanobacteria to remain viable and productive for extended periods. The team used 3D printing to optimise the shape and surface area of the material, improving light exposure and nutrient flow via capillary action. This allows the structures to harden naturally over time while maintaining biological activity.

Real-World Demonstrations

The material has moved beyond the lab into real-world installations. ETH doctoral student Andrea Shin Ling developed large-scale structures for the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, printing tree trunk-like forms up to three meters high. Each structure can potentially capture up to 18 kilograms of CO₂ per year, comparable to a mature pine tree.

At the Triennale di Milano, another installation titled Dafne’s Skin—a collaboration with MAEID Studio and researcher Dalia Dranseike—showcases how living materials can transform wooden facades. Over time, microbial growth creates a green patina, illustrating the material’s role in both carbon capture and aesthetic transformation of architecture.

Toward Sustainable Infrastructure

This work is part of the ALIVE initiative at ETH Zurich, which brings together scientists from various disciplines to develop living materials for sustainable applications. The researchers envision future use of these materials in building façades, infrastructure coatings, and environmentally responsive surfaces. These uses help buildings act as carbon sinks throughout their lifecycle.

“We see this as a complement to chemical carbon capture technologies—offering a scalable, biologically inspired way to reduce atmospheric CO₂,” says Tibbitt.

Scientists Create Living Building Material: Conclusion

ETH Zurich’s development of a photosynthetic living material marks a significant milestone in sustainable construction. By combining cutting-edge 3D printing, materials engineering, and synthetic biology, the team has created a new class of building material. This kind of building material not only stores carbon but also strengthens over time. With continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, this technology could help transform buildings into active participants in the fight against climate change.

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