Microorganisms may play an unexpected yet crucial role in the future of sustainable material sourcing—both in space and on Earth. A recent experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrates how bacteria and fungi can extract valuable metals from meteorites in microgravity, offering insights into resource systems relevant to design and material innovation.
Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Edinburgh investigated how microbes interact with asteroid material in space. Their study focused on “biomining”—a process in which microorganisms extract metals from rocks using natural biochemical mechanisms. The experiment, part of the BioAsteroid project, tested the bacterium Sphingomonas desiccabilis and the fungus Penicillium simplicissimum on L-chondrite meteorite samples.
The findings reveal that fungi, in particular, are highly effective at extracting platinum group metals such as palladium. In microgravity, the fungus increased its production of carboxylic acids—organic compounds that bind to minerals and facilitate their release—resulting in enhanced metal extraction compared to non-biological methods.
One notable outcome is the consistency of microbial performance across different gravitational conditions. While traditional, non-biological leaching methods proved less effective in microgravity, microbes maintained stable extraction rates. This resilience highlights their potential as reliable agents for resource recovery in extreme environments.
The research also showed that microbial behaviour varies depending on species, environmental conditions and the specific metals involved. This complexity underscores the need for further investigation but also points to a versatile toolkit for future material extraction strategies.
Although the study is rooted in space exploration, its implications extend directly to Earth-based applications. Biomining could offer a low-impact alternative to conventional mining, particularly in extracting metals from low-grade ores, industrial waste or urban mining streams. For designers and material innovators, this opens pathways to more sustainable sourcing of critical materials used in electronics, construction and product design.
By harnessing biological processes, it may become possible to develop closed-loop material systems that reduce reliance on virgin resources and minimise environmental impact. This aligns with broader ambitions in circular design, where waste is reimagined as a valuable input rather than a by-product.
Despite promising results, researchers caution that microbial interactions with materials—especially in space—are highly complex. Variables such as species diversity, environmental conditions and processing methods all influence outcomes. Rather than offering a single solution, biomining represents a flexible and evolving approach to material extraction.
As interest in sustainable and regenerative material systems grows, the potential of microbes as living tools for resource recovery presents a compelling avenue for designers seeking innovative, low-impact solutions. However, it is not not an excuse to stop trying to be more frugal and smarter with the resources available on Earth.
Source: Cornell University
Photo: Mengliu Di