babyֱ��app

Formed by researchers at CU Boulder in 2021, is becoming a leader in an ongoing effort to decarbonize the construction industry in the face of climate change. Inspired by nature, the company uses living microalgae to produce bio-cement. This new product offers an alternative to the traditional cement-making process, which currently accounts for 8% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions and consumes 9% of annual industrial water on a global basis.

When mixed with aggregate, the bio-cement forms a zero-carbon bio-concrete with mechanical, physical and thermal properties that rival those of traditional cement-based concrete. It also emits little to no CO2 and recycles 95% of the water used during its production. It can even sequester embodied carbon, which represents emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials, including extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction and disposal throughout its lifespan.

The effort dates to 2016 when a team of CU Boulder researchers began work on an engineered-living materials project for the Department of Defense. Associate professor Wil Srubar led that research from within the civil, environmental and architectural engineering department and the materials science and engineering program. He serves as co-founder and chief technology advisor for the company and pointed to Venture Partners at CU Boulder — the university’s commercialization arm — as a key resource in bringing it to life.

“Not only were the terms of licensing the IP from CU very founder-friendly, Venture Partners provided matching funds for us to continue R&D at CU,” he said.

Srubar is enthusiastic about the interest so far. 

“I’ve dedicated my career to transforming buildings in carbon sinks by blurring the boundaries between the built environment and the natural world,” said Srubar. “Prometheus is the first of hopefully many other impactful contributions my work will have on healing the planet.”

  Submit feedback to the editor