Bacteria are cleaning up our toxic waste | Orbitals 410

11/11/21 • 14 min

Bacteria often get a bad rap, which is fair—they are responsible for diseases like strep throat, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, and antibiotic resistance is a legitimate threat to humanity's existence. But some bacteria might actually save lives by cleaning up things like massive oil spills and radioactive waste. Featuring Dr. Cara Santelli.

Previous Episode

🧪 Solutions 110 | What your raincoat and a hydrogen fuel cell have in common

Polymer membranes make everything from rain jackets to medical devices. But they’re also integral parts of hydrogen fuel cells, powering cars that give off nothing but water vapor. How do fuel cells work, and why aren’t you driving one yet?

Solutions is made with funding and featuring scientists from 3M, Ascend Performance Materials, Baker Hughes, BASF, Dow, DuPont, Procter & Gamble, PPG, Royal DSM, SABIC, Solvay, and W. L. Gore & Associates, none of whom influenced any editorial decisions.

Next Episode

🧪 Solutions 111 | A Walk Among the Sponges

Think the science behind sponges must be boring? You’re so, so wrong. Shrink down to the microscopic level with us and take a walk among sponges designed to keep bacteria alive, clean with just water, and literally cut through your holiday cleaning.

If you like this episode you’ll love

Orbitals

Distillations | Science History Institute

The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong

Crime in Sports

Short Wave

Episode Comments

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size

Copy