Rice University: Goodbye plastic? Scientists create new supermaterial that outperforms metals and glass
- Global Research Partnerships
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Scientists at Rice University and University of Houston have developed an innovative, scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials.
The study, published in Nature Communications, introduces a dynamic biosynthesis technique that aligns bacterial cellulose fibers in real-time, resulting in robust biopolymer sheets with exceptional mechanical properties.
Plastic pollution persists because traditional synthetic polymers degrade into microplastics, releasing harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA ), phthalates and carcinogens. Seeking sustainable alternatives, the research team led by Muhammad Maksud Rahman, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Houston and adjunct assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice, leveraged bacterial cellulose -- one of Earth's most abundant and pure biopolymers -- as a biodegradable alternative.
"Our approach involved developing a rotational bioreactor that directs the movement of cellulose-producing bacteria, aligning their motion during growth," said M.A.S.R. Saadi, the study's first author and a doctoral student in material science and nanoengineering at Rice. "This alignment significantly enhances the mechanical properties of microbial cellulose, creating a material as strong as some metals and glasses yet flexible, foldable, transparent and environment friendly."
Bacterial cellulose fibers usually form randomly, which limits their mechanical strength and functionality. By harnessing controlled fluid dynamics within their novel bioreactor, the researchers achieved in situ alignment of cellulose nanofibrils, creating sheets with tensile strength reaching up to 436 megapascals.
Moreover, incorporating boron nitride nanosheets during synthesis resulted in a hybrid material with even greater strength -- around 553 megapascals -- and improved thermal properties, demonstrating a heat dissipation rate three times faster than control samples.
"This dynamic biosynthesis approach enables the creation of stronger materials with greater functionality," Saadi said. "The method allows for the easy integration of various nanoscale additives directly into the bacterial cellulose, making it possible to customize material properties for specific applications."
The scalable, single-step process holds significant promise for numerous industrial applications, including structural materials, thermal management solutions, packaging, textiles, green electronics and energy storage systems.
