Microbes are known for their remarkable survival abilities. And now, scientists have discovered another remarkable trait: Turning cement into an electricity storage device.

In a study published September 9 in Cell Reports Physical Science, researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark describe how they seeded a bacteria called Shewanella oneidensis into cement. These particular bacteria are known to be good at transferring electrons across surfaces, and the researchers wondered if they could act as an energy transporter in cement.

Indeed, the cement came to life, with the bacteria establishing a “network of charge carriers capable of both storing and releasing electrical energy,” the researchers explained in a statement. In other words, the cement could store and release electricity, a finding that could one day enable more sustainable buildings. Even better, the researchers found that even after the microbes died, the material could be reinvigorated by being fed nutrients.

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The resulting material produces a hefty load of energy, the researchers said—even under stress. For instance, one stress test involved putting the cement in extreme temperature environments, which it endured with ease. And when the researchers connected six blocks of the cement, the structure generated enough power to switch on an LED light.

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