Imagine a wound dressing that releases oxygen as it heals, or a building material that cleans your wastewater while changing shape with the sun. These futuristic-sounding ideas may soon enter the design mainstream, thanks to new research into Engineered Living Materials (ELMs)—a field funded by DARPA and which stands at the intersection of materials science, microbiology, and sustainability.

A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego has cracked open the toolbox for ELM creation, allowing scientists to work with a much broader range of polymers, even those previously considered toxic to living cells.

Their breakthrough, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses a diffusion-based method that enables cyanobacteria—sunlight-powered microbes—to infiltrate and transform pre-formed polymers. The result? A living material that can change shape, soften over time, and respond to its environment, all while powered by the sun.

“We have shown for the first time that diffusion is a viable method of creating ELMs,” said co-first author Lisa Tang, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at UC San Diego. “This opens the door to using a wider variety of polymers.”

The study was led by Prof. Jinhye Bae (Chemical and Nano Engineering) and Prof. Susan Golden (Molecular Biology), under the umbrella of UCSD’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. Co-author Nathan Soulier, a postdoctoral scholar in Golden’s lab, emphasized the scientific impact:

“Such surprising findings highlight the value of studying dynamic, non-equilibrium systems like ELMs.”

A Biotech Renaissance in Material Design

This development could radically influence sustainable design across multiple industries. In the fashion world, Stella McCartney has already collaborated with synthetic biologists at companies like Bolt Threads to develop mycelium leather, an earlier example of living materials. At the MIT Media Lab, designer and materials innovator Neri Oxman has pioneered the concept of “material ecology,” merging computational design with microbial growth and environmental data to create biodegradable architecture and wearables.

In Israel, Tel Aviv University’s Prof. Oded Shoseyov (inventor of the Ashpoopie) has been a leader in applying plant and bacterial proteins to smart materials and bio-fabricated textiles, often collaborating with biotech startups on sustainable production methods.

With the new method developed at UCSD, even synthetic polymers with harsh precursors could now become home to living, functional organisms. In the team’s experiment, they used a shape-memory polymer that expands and contracts with temperature shifts—mimicking a sponge. Once returned to room temperature, the polymer absorbed a suspension of cyanobacteria, which not only survived but thrived—altering the material’s structure and producing enzymes that degraded it in novel ways.

Why It Matters: From Wastewater to Wearables

Cyanobacteria can be genetically programmed to perform specific tasks, such as breaking down pollutants or producing biofuels—meaning these living materials could clean water, capture carbon, or even sense toxins. And because they run on solar energy, they don’t need batteries or chemical power sources.

This has major implications for green construction, regenerative medicine, and zero-waste fashion. In architecture, self-healing facades and living insulation could reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials. In medical contexts, bioactive scaffolds could accelerate healing while reducing infection risk.

As demand grows for biodegradable, responsive, and resource-efficient materials, this diffusion-based method could become a cornerstone in post-petroleum design—a path toward truly circular, regenerative systems.

The UCSD team is already exploring how other polymers—those sensitive to pH or capable of conducting electricity—might host living cells. The idea is to create multi-functional, multi-sensory materials that behave more like biological tissues than inert plastic.

“By integrating photosynthetic organisms into materials science, we can harness the sun’s renewable energy to create valuable materials,” said Bae. “There is a great need for sustainable alternatives to current practices that rely on finite resources.”

In a world running short on raw materials but rich in sunlight and microbial ingenuity, the age of engineered living matter may be just beginning.

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What happens when high-tech materials meet heartfelt design? Colombian designer Neyla Coronel has an answer—and it comes in the form of a bra. Made using Balena.Filaflex, a flexible, bio-based and fully compostable filament co-developed by Balena and Recreus, Neyla’s creation is challenging everything we thought we knew about intimate apparel, sustainability, and the power of design to liberate the body.

At Green Prophet, we’ve followed how Balena is reshaping the fashion industry—literally. The brand has already made headlines for its partnership with Stella McCartney, producing fashion-forward, circular solutions that don’t compromise on ethics or style. Their fully compostable slip-on shoes turned heads in Paris and New York, proving that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to look like a compromise.

But Neyla’s latest work adds something deeper: the personal. It’s a a bra designed by—and for—the body

Raised in a culture of rigid beauty standards, Neyla says her design process began with a reckoning. “I realized my body was never the problem,” she shares. “It was the fashion industry’s limited offerings.”

Working with 3D scanning, parametric modeling, and computational geometry, Neyla flipped the traditional fashion script. Instead of forcing bodies to conform to garments, she made garments that move, grow, and shift with the human form. At the heart of her design is an auxetic structure—an architectural pattern that flexes in sync with the body. “It’s not just about aesthetics,” she explains. “It’s about function, inclusivity, and emotional comfort.”

To bring her vision to life, Neyla needed a material that could stretch, adapt, and biodegrade—without sacrificing comfort. Early prototypes in PLA and TPU lacked the elasticity and sustainability she craved. Then came Balena.Filaflex.

“Working with Balena.Filaflex was a breakthrough,” Neyla says. “It’s soft, it’s strong, and it supports movement close to the skin. But more than that—it’s compostable and biobased. It made the piece not just wearable, but meaningful.”

Balena.Filaflex has already been used in everything from fashion-forward sneakers to performance-ready slides. Designers across the globe—from high fashion to independent creators—are exploring its potential as a circular solution to fast fashion waste.

Co-Creation and Circularity

What sets Neyla’s project apart is the ethos of collaboration—not just between designer and material, but between designer and wearer.

Using open-source design principles, each piece can be tailored by the end user. Pattern density, strap length, and shape flexibility are all customizable. “I don’t want this to be just my design,” Neyla says. “It’s something to be shared—designed by one woman, for all women.”

Neyla is already experimenting with new applications for Balena.Filaflex—from personalized footwear to ergonomic furniture. “Each new project is a chance to learn,” she says. “Balena’s material gives me the freedom to imagine design that’s deeply human and deeply sustainable.”

At Green Prophet, we believe these are the collaborations that matter—where material science meets soul, and where design becomes a tool for regeneration.

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ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment company, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator, and Archireef, a climate technology company based in Hong Kong, have deployed artificial 3D printed terracotta reef tiles to aid coral restoration in the Persian Gulf off the shore of Abu Dhabi.

The tiles were designed by a team of marine biologists and architects and produced through custom 3D clay printing in Archireef’s new production facility.

The partnership between ADQ and Archireef funds research and development of eco-engineering solutions for marine biodiversity restoration – combining scientific research with the use of the latest technologies in 3D printing, IoT, and AI.

Related: Artificial Reefs in the Red Sea

“Our partnership with Archireef brings a unique and innovative coral restoration method to Abu Dhabi to safeguard our Emirate’s natural environment and promote sustainable development. It is a memorable moment for ADQ to be part of this project providing a lifeline to endangered coral reefs, which is the first of its kind in the UAE and the wider region.

Underlining our commitment to adopting practical solutions powered by R&D and innovation to address environmental challenges, this biodiversity restoration initiative aligns with our ESG aspirations, and we believe it will have a positive impact not only on our planet but also on local communities we operate in,” said Anas Jawdat Albarguthi, Chief Operating Officer at ADQ.

In contrast to other types of artificial reefs, the 3D printed terracotta reef tiles are environmentally friendly and engineered to closely mimic the natural pattern of corals and prevent sedimentation build-up, which is a major threat for corals. It basically chokes them.

The plantation site is at Um Khorah Island in the Al Dhafra Region, in Abu Dhabi, housing around 1,200 coral fragments grown in specialized nurseries, owned by EAD.

Abu Dhabi waters are home to 34 different types of hard coral. In 2017 alone, the Emirate lost most of its corak, 73% of its reefs, due to mass coral bleaching, caused by an increase in water temperature due to climate change, manmade coastal disruption and the shipping industry and pollution.

::Archireef

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In5, part of TECOM Group, presents the region’s largest 3D printed exhibition stand, The North Star at Dubai Design Week, which opened doors at Dubai Design District on Nov. 7 and which closed on Nov 12.

NYXO designed and built The North Star from recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) to showcase how recycling can be incorporated into real-world architecture.

We wrote about 3D printed villas in Dubai in 2018 and the trend is still catching interest of designers.

Spanning over 1,000 square feet The North Star represents pressing environmental challenges say its designers. An infinite loop generating four spaces and organising surfaces make up the pavilion, with the surfaces joining and folding together to create pockets that are continuously connected to signify in5’s legacy as start-up incubator.

“The material has a porosity that graciously simulates the roughness of desert sand,” say the Italian designers at Nyxo, based in Dubai.

We also love Thigmo, a 3D designed porcelain cup set, “characterized by a relief surface that is inspired by the generative processes that we find in nature.”

“The intricate veining surface is the result of a digital simulation of the behavior of growth of mycelium, the interweaving of filaments which constitutes the vegetative apparatus of fungi. The survey has a unique appearance and offers a tactile experience very stimulating, as well as allowing you to manipulate the cup in serenity even in the presence of a good hot coffee.”

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In recent years, the construction industry has transformed as new technologies have emerged to address various challenges. The relationship between software, hardware, and education is driving innovation in construction and changing the way buildings are designed and constructed. In this article, we will explore some of the most significant advancements in this field, including the rise of 3D construction companies and the development of 3D concrete printers.

3D construction

Cybe is an example of a 3D construction company is which has revolutionised the construction process by leveraging cutting-edge technology. By using 3D concrete printers, which can be many meters in height, they have managed to create complex structures with greater efficiency, reducing both construction time and material waste. Some printers print within a three-dimensional zone, like an ordinary domestic printer, whilst other options include a robotic crawler and track that can extend far away from its body.

This innovative approach not only benefits the environment via less wasted resources and leaner production, but also translates into cost savings for clients.

As we delve deeper into the role of technology in construction, it becomes clear that software plays a crucial part in this transformation. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a standard in the industry, allowing architects, engineers, and construction professionals to collaborate on a single digital model of a building – a bit like CAD. This level of integration enables seamless communication, better decision-making, and enhanced overall project management.

However, the success of these technological innovations would not be possible without a skilled workforce. And, despite how the news may sometimes portray it, the goal of 3D construction isn’t to replace all labourers. Education plays a pivotal role in fostering talent, ensuring that construction professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to effectively utilise these advanced tools. The roles of the construction workers shift with 3D printing, and everyone becomes more productive.

Some key advancements in the interplay between software, hardware, and education include:

• Advanced simulation and analysis software, which helps identify potential structural issues early in the design process, preventing costly mistakes down the line.
• The use of drones for site inspections and progress monitoring, enabling construction managers to oversee projects more efficiently and safely.
• The incorporation of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in construction education, providing immersive, hands-on training experiences for students.
• The development of smart, connected construction sites, where real-time data collection and analysis lead to better decision-making and increased productivity. 5G is important here for lower latency.
• The rise of modular construction, where building components are manufactured off-site and assembled on-site, reducing waste and speeding up the construction process.
• Easier collaboration in the design process through BIM, allowing architects and professionals from various industries to share knowledge and work on a single digital model.

Final Word

As the construction industry continues to evolve, the relationship between software, hardware, and education will be the driving force behind sustainable, efficient, and innovative building practices. The adoption of 3D concrete printers and the emergence of 3D construction companies are just a few examples of how technology is revolutionising the way we build. 3D construction isn’t out to replace workers, but to make them more skilled and productive by harnessing new technology.

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Being sustainable has never been more important. There has been a push to be more eco-friendly with business taking big leaps to make a positive impact on the environment. Etsy, for example, offsets carbon from deliveries made, meaning every time an item is purchased on the site, the company balances out the carbon emissions by investing in projects which reduce them.

One industry which can make more of a positive impact is printing. If you’re a business that regularly prints, there are some small changes you can make to be more eco-friendly.

Use recycled paper

If you need to print something off, using recycled paper is the greenest solution. Compared to using plain paper made from scratch, it uses far less water, energy produces fewer carbon emissions – did you know that every ton of new paper requires 19,000 gallons of water? Not only does recycled paper help reduce this, but it reduces the amount of paper heading to a landfill. According to research, today 91% of all printed paper is made from non-recycled materials. 

Print double-sided

Another way to make sustainable choices is to promote printing double-sided. Not only will it save paper, but it will also save you money. It is estimated that a standard pine tree – which most paper is made from – will produce around 10,000 sheets of paper. In fact, an average-sized office will use the equivalent of one tree every year. But if you default to printing double-sided your office could use less of a tree (if you choose to use recycled paper, that will be even less).

Recycle your cartridges

Where do you dispose of your printer cartridges? Ink cartridges are toxic if they go to landfill. They’re plastic and take years to decompose – but up to 97% of materials used to create ink cartridges can be recycled and reused. Tonergiant.co.uk explains that over 350 million empty cartridges are thrown away each year and they can help direct you to getting your empty cartridges where they need to be and out of the landfill.

Some facts on why it’s important to dispose of your cartridges from TonerGiant.co.uk:

• The UK is responsible for disposing of 55 million cartridges.
• Cartridges which are disposed of in the bin can cover Old Trafford 119 times.
• On average, the components of a cartridge can take 1,000 years to naturally decompose.
• Eight cartridges are thrown away every minute. If only four of these were recycled it could produce 20 more cartridges for 80% less energy.

Switch to eco-mode

Another way to be more sustainable when it comes to printing is to invest in a printer with eco mode. It can reduce power consumption, save on ink or toner, and reduce paper usage. You can set this a default setting so you know your printer is being sustainable for every print. 

Being more eco-friendly with your printing can have positive impacts all around. Not only does it have a huge benefit on the environment, over time, making greener choices can save you money too.

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Climate change is not new, however, recently it has been getting even more intense. The abrupt changes in the weather, melting of the poles, the forests that are set on fire, and so many things are an indicator that our planet will die if we do not strive to save it. This is why there have been a lot of inventions that have been presented to the public that can reduce climate change and gradually fix it. 

Digital Reading

Now that we are living in the digital age, it is time that we stop cutting down trees to make paper out of them. There are many schools and offices now that have stopped printing paper, all their work is through electronic devices now. There are even many inventions like eBooks, where readers can curl up and read their favorite book from a device rather than a book filled with paper that came from a dead tree.

Smart Houses

The three-dimensional printing technology has transformed our knowledge about construction. A lot of people haven’t heard of 3d printing homes machinery and that these machines form and print actual houses, as long as it has the correct design and structure. This means that we will no longer need or use wood, bricks, and sand, and that we will get rid of air and noise pollution. It doesn’t take a lot of time to print these houses, it uses less material, and the material it uses is very durable.

Solar Roof Tiles

Remember when you saw blue screens on a building and wondered what they were? These are known as solar roof tiles; they generate electricity, which means you won’t be relying only on power consumption. This is a good thing for our planet because it means we won’t be relying on the burning of coal and fossil fuels to create this kind of electricity, especially that they produce a ridiculous amount of CO2 into the atmosphere that contributes to the deterioration of the environment. 

Living Wall

Solar tiles have been around for some time now, but now people have been considering the living wall. This wall, also known as the roof garden, is filled with different kinds of plants that produce O2 into the atmosphere. It is also responsible for absorbing CO2, heat, and rainwater while providing insulation and preserving electricity. It might not be popular now, but we might spot roof gardens in the near future. 

In the past, people have had many concerns about the advancements of technologies, since they believed that technology will end the human race at some point. This is ironic since, in this day and age, technology is one of the main tools that can help us save our planet from our own destruction. Now, there are many inventions like solar roof tiles, printed houses, living walls, and devices that we can read from instead of killing trees. If you would like to participate in saving our planet, you can consider any of these options and adopt it into your personal life. 

The post Amazing Advancements In Technology That Promotes A Greener Way Of Life appeared first on Green Prophet.

3D printing for buildings has been explored on many fronts. In 2015, the Israeli design team Tridom won honorable mention in NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge for their ‘Bubble Base’ building, a prototype for future human habitation on Mars. (Read more on that, here.)

The Dubai Strategy will have three primary focus areas. Medical applications will seek to develop 3D printed teeth, bones, artificial organs, medical and surgical devices, and hearing aids. Consumer applications will focus on household items, optics, fashion jewelry, children’s games and – inexplicably – fast food. The construction sector will concentrate on lighting products, bases and foundations, construction joints, facilities and parks, buildings for mobile homes and humanitarian causes. (Read more about innovation in refugee housing, here.)

Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Dubai Municipality, told the Emarat Al Youm newspaper that by 2030, 25% of the city’s new buildings will be printed in order to reduce construction costs and shorten delivery schedules. This will especially benefit the affordable housing sector where the combination of automation and new materials will increase efficiency and significantly lower costs.

“3D printing is a disruptive technology,” Sameer Lakhani, Managing Director of Global Capital Partners, told the Khaleej Times.

“Currently, the process is still more expensive than conventional building methods; moreover it is in its embryonic stages, being able to accommodate only rudimentary designs. However, within a 10 to 15-year time frame, it appears likely that this form of ‘printing’ will start to replace existing methods of construction.”

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Following Israel’s smart solar trees, the Dubai Municipality is rolling out a series of “community tech hubs” based on 3D printed palm trees that collect solar power. The stations are also where users can recharge their phones, tablets and laptops, enjoy free WiFi, and check in on local weather and news.

The Smart Palm initiative aligns with a UAE Cabinet decision to make 2015 the “Year of Innovation” and with Dubai’s overarching ambition to become the regional leader in digital Smart City technologies.

The oil-rich state has resources to make innovation reality, but why aren’t simpler versions of this basic tech going up as standard civic amenities everywhere?

These six-meter-tall solar-powered towers shaped like palm trees are the latest  city-sponsored convenience for tourists and beachgoers. Dubai Municipality installed the first Smart Palm at Zabeel Park in April. The second, which added a feature to give weather updates, sprouted in May at Jumeirah Beach near the Burj Al Arab Hotel. The Dubai World Trade Center received the third unit in June, and a fourth goes up this month at an as-yet unspecified location.

Viktor Nelepa, founder of D Idea Media, the company that designs and builds the structures, told Khaleej Times, “The fourth unit will be another milestone as it will be a unique structure created using 3D printing technology and it will be the biggest such outdoor structure [in the world].”

The newest Palm is made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) instead of steel, making it lighter and more durable than earlier prototypes. It has added ultraviolet and humidity protection to reduce maintenance. All Smart Palms run on its own mono crystal solar panels, which provide up to 21 per cent efficiency and generate enough power for daytime functionality and nighttime lighting. The city plans to add them to all public beaches in Al Mamzar, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.

Nelepa said that in the first four months of operation the Smart Palms generated a total of 2.5 MW of green electricity. More than 2,100 devices were charged and – on the silly side – about 2,000 selfies were taken using cameras attached to the towers. The project grew from collaboration between Dubai Municipality, Smart Palm creators D Idea Media, du, Sun Tab Solar Energy and Promo Tech Gulf Industry.

Alya Harmoudi, Director, Environment Department, Dubai Municipality, said each unit can support 50 simultaneous over a radius of 53 meters. She added that the stations can display updates on beach events and serve as a public announcement system. They also show beach rules, guidelines, tips, and sea conditions.

The project took just ten months from conception to delivering the finished product.

Smart Palm is designed in part to serve as functional public art that complements Dubai’s iconic architecture and scenic beaches.  As such, it would be a positive addition to all Middle East airports and touristic sites,  a necessary replacement for the ubiquitous telephone booths of the past.

If the makers would strip it down to its utilitarian components, production costs would reduce, enabling purchase by (or for) urban communities where people lack reliable internet connectivity or experience intermittent power.

Imagine modified Palms installed in refugee camps.  That would be very smart. And for refugee design ideas see this – 10 refugee shelters we hate to love.

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Students at Slovenia’s second largest university adapted a computer numerical control (CNC) machine to act as a 3D printer, substituting the usual printing materials (such as plastics, nylon, epoxy resins, and wax) with “green” ink made of soil, water and grass seed. Their project, named Print Green, produces 3D printed models with the ability to grow.

Designed as part of an intermedia arts course at University of Maribor, Project Green unites art, technology and nature. As with most school projects, this has limited commercial application, but the students already have a marketing slogan. They flipped the ubiquitous email tagline “Think before you print” into “Print because it’s green”.

The “ink” creates functional shapes (bowls, planters) that – when watered – will sprout greenery. Student design team (Maja Petek, Tina Zidanšek, Urška Skaza, Danica Rženičnik and Simon Tržan) have also experimented with “living letters” (see lead image).

The forms sit atop a Styrodur base, a rigid polystyrene foam typically used for building insulation. It’s a rot-proof product, ideal for supporting items that need frequent watering. Each base is then covered with black felt, to better showcase the printed objects.

Technically this is 3D printing, although the hardware is a re-jiggered carpentry tool. But falling prices for commercial 3D printers are opening up opportunities for regular users to run at-home research and development labs too.

We’ve reported on quirky applications, such as 3D-printed cosmetics or “pocket parks” for greenery in unusual places. People have printed prosthetics that enable lame dogs to run, and artifacts that allow the blind to “see”.  For every dubious app like 3D gun-printing, there’s a positive one like 3D printed food or housing. Find cheap 3D printer now in most cities near you.

The cutesy newness of this tech is fast becoming ‘yesterday’.  The genie is out of the bottle and game-changing applications are coming on fast.  Today we pose the question – what will this new turn in manufacturing do to the environment? Tomorrow we’ll be back to kick around some answers.  Get your thoughts together on where you stand on 3D printing – we want you in the chat.

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