Microbes can power up our world, making sustainable fertilizers, repairing concrete structures, creating vaccines, and so much more! But to complete these quests, they have to get to their destinations safely, avoiding obstacles like high temperatures, acidic conditions, and changes in pressure.

"Mighty Microbes," a nine-minute film from Chemistry Shorts®, explores new, self-assembling polymer coatings that help create chemical “suits of armor” for these microbes, giving problem-solving scientists the ability to transport them to wherever they need to go.

In "Mighty Microbes," MIT scientist Ariel Furst describes her lab’s work creating this armor, often out of food-grade materials to minimize impact on both the planet and the microbes themselves. These coatings assemble around their microbial targets via redox reactions, chemicals processes that move electrons from one place to another. Redox reactions can create new compounds or allow molecules to perform new functions, and are an important topic in the chemistry classroom.

These new, polymer-based coatings support the Furst Lab’s goal of energy equity, ensuring everyone has access to technological advances. For example, nitrogen-based fertilizers ensure we have enough food to feed the entire globe. But, bulky fertilizer must usually be shipped to its final destination, requiring huge quantities of energy. Microbes could be a way to produce sustainable nitrogen-solutions right where you need them. But, the microbes must resist drying out or overheating on the journey to their destination. Dr. Furst’s coatings could be just the armor they need along the way!

Learn about Dr. Furst’s work here: https://furstlab.mit.edu/afurst/

Learn more about Chemistry Shorts™ and view companion classroom curriculum at www.chemistryshorts.org