Scientists transform urine into material fit for medical implants

Scientists have developed a method that can transform human urine into the hard mineral in bones and tooth enamel. The research, funded by the US military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), uses yeast to break urine down into hydroxyapatite, a form of calcium used in bone and dental implants. And hydroxyapatite isn't useful only for implants; the researchers behind the study said the material could be used in archaeological restoration, as biodegradable alternatives to plastic and as building materials for construction projects.

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“This process achieves two goals at the same time,” said David Kisailus, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Irvine. “On the one hand, it helps remove human urine from wastewater streams, mitigating environmental pollution and the buildup of unwanted nutrients, and on the other hand, it produces a material that can be commercially marketed for use in a variety of settings.”