Episode description

Biocomposite materials can utilise potentially waste carbon sources and capture them for a useful purpose. For example, Dr. Aled Deakin Roberts talked with us about how he can create a biocomposite material from ashes using a bio-inspired adhesive. Further to this, biocomposites also open up opportunities for additional properties, such as the addition of organic molecules that cannot be added to classic materials as they are broken down at high temperatures, biocompatibility and potentially improved properties. Dr Deakin Roberts talked with us about his invention, space concrete, known as 'Starcrete', a biocomposite material with twice the strength of typical concrete and held together by microalgae.