Tiny Tech 44: Beer and Magnetic BioBots
Today from the world of Tiny Tech:
Making beer by fermentation of barley and hops has been around for centuries. But could nanotechnology improve the process? Recently, to help with making beer, scientists have developed nanostructures called BioBots. Biobots consist of yeast cells and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles wrapped up inside a polymer shell derived from algae.
When the BioBots are placed into a sugar solution they initially sink to the bottom. As the fermentation process begins, the yeast converts the sugars into alcohol and the carbon dioxide gas that causes the bubbles in beer. The bubbles get temporarily trapped in the polymer shell, causing the BioBots to float to the surface. Over time the carbon dioxide gets released into the solution and the BioBots sink again, beginning a new cycle. The scientists demonstrated that the up and down motion of the BioBots improved alcohol production as compared to free floating yeast cells. In addition, the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles allowed the BioBots to be removed from the mixture easily using a magnet, without the need for filtration.
Science, like all of life, has its ups and downs, but sometimes that’s a good thing!
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