# Self-Cleaning Surfaces Synthetic Biology Explores the Possibilities of Programmable Bacteria By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-11-14 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/synthetic-biology References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/13/bio-surfaces-containing-hacked-bacteria-tashia-tucker/) & [t-tucker](http://www.t-tucker.com/design-research.html) It's the stuff that you can't see that really worries you when it comes to the cleanliness of your home. The Synthetic Biology project imagines an exciting future of science and technology in which the most unsanitary surfaces of your house might be capable of [cleaning themselves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfcleaning-sheets). Tashia Tucker presents three primary concepts of Synthetic Biology that are applicable to the floor, the walls and the kitchen bench. In the first, a [microbial floor surface](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picoplanktonics) is a carpet that contains helpful bacteria that can be activated and directed in order to swarm dirt, pollutants, pet dander and dust. The living skin wall surface fosters microbes that can improve the [air quality in a space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spectrum-blue-antimicrobial), and the biodetecting countertop finds and destroys pesticides and unhealthy microorganisms. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Microbial Floor Surfaces:** Integrating helpful bacteria into floor surfaces to autonomously clean dirt, pollutants, and dust. - **Living Skin Wall Surfaces:** Creating wall surfaces that foster microbes to enhance air quality within a space. - **Biodetecting Countertops:** Developing countertops that can detect and eliminate pesticides and harmful microorganisms. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Home Cleaning Products:** Opportunity for home cleaning product companies to incorporate microbial floor surfaces and biodetecting countertops into their offerings. - **Interior Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for interior designers to utilize living skin wall surfaces that improve air quality and aesthetics. - **Synthetic Biology:** Potential for synthetic biology companies to explore the development of programmable bacteria for self-cleaning surfaces in various industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Living Printable Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-ink.md) - [Organic Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lapso.md) - [Self-Cleaning Glass Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-cleaning-glass.md) - [Food-Safe Sanitizer Sprays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacteriophage-microgel-bead-spray.md) - [Self-Cleaning Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfcleaning-smartphone-case.md) - [Dedicated Cleaning Tool Sanitizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sterilizer-2022.md) - [Holistic Household Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cymbiotika-home-a.md) - [Grown Microbial-Woven Fabrics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-fabric.md) - [Robotic Self-Cleaning Floor Washers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eufy-s1-pro.md)