Engineered bacteria can create a self-healing living paint that stops steel from rusting with 95% efficiency.

Marine corrosion is a trillion-dollar problem that currently requires toxic chemicals and constant repainting to manage. Scientists have modified a bacterium called Vibrio natriegens to produce a mineralized biofilm that sticks to metal surfaces. This biological layer acts as a physical shield that automatically repairs itself if it gets scratched or damaged. In tests, the bacteria reduced corrosion on steel by over 95 percent in harsh saltwater environments. This technology could replace traditional anti-rust coatings on ships and oil rigs with a sustainable, living alternative.