Scientists at Binghamton University are developing a remarkable new material they call “living metal”—a combination of metal and bacterial spores that could one day allow electronic devices to interact directly with living tissue.
This innovation could revolutionize how we build bioelectronics, creating systems that are flexible, self-healing, and capable of “talking” to the human body.
The research, published in Advanced Functional Materials, was led by Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi, along with Maryam Rezaie, Ph.D., and doctoral student Yang “Lexi” Gao from Binghamton University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Their work focuses on overcoming one of the biggest challenges in bioelectronics—how to make rigid, lifeless electronic systems communicate smoothly with the soft, dynamic world of biology.
Traditional electronic materials, such as metals and conductive polymers, each have their drawbacks.
While metals conduct electricity extremely well, they are rigid and often develop oxide layers that block electron flow when exposed to air or water.
Conductive polymers are softer and easier to use in biological systems, but they don’t conduct as efficiently as metals and are vulnerable to mechanical damage.
As Choi explained, “Most bioelectronics will be deployed in very harsh environments, so they need to repair themselves when damaged. They must have a self-healing property.”
To solve these issues, the team turned to Bacillus subtilis, a type of bacteria that can produce energy and survive extreme conditions by forming dormant spores.
When Choi and his colleagues mixed these bacterial spores with liquid metal droplets, they noticed something extraordinary.
The spores strongly attached to the metal’s surface, breaking through the oxide layer and allowing electricity to flow freely again. This made the composite both flexible and highly conductive.
The spores can stay inactive for long periods but come to life when conditions improve—such as when exposed to moisture or nutrients. Even better, when cracks appear in the composite, the material can heal itself, as the spores help the metal reconnect.
This means circuits made from “living metal” could repair themselves without human intervention.
The new material can also be absorbed into soft device surfaces, such as paper or skin-like layers, opening the door to wearable or even implantable technologies. Imagine future medical devices that safely integrate with the body or flexible sensors that adapt and repair themselves inside harsh environments.
Although this “living metal” is still in the early stages of development, researchers are optimistic. They plan to further study how to control the activation of the bacterial spores and test the material’s long-term durability.
As Professor Choi explained, “Our goal is to build a bridge between biology and electronics—where living cells and machines can communicate naturally.”
Source: Binghamton University.