Exhibiting Biogenic Construction 

Book Your Visit to Biogenic Construction: 

Join us for guided tours of the innovative exhibition on building the future with microbial minerals at the OME, available weekdays from March 20th – 28th.

Secure your spot by arranging your visit through the link

LOCATION: OME, Devonshire Terrace, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, UK
Directions to _OME here

The Thinking Soils project, an EPSRC-funded initiative, represents an interdisciplinary collaboration among bioscientists, architects, and civil engineers. It envisions a groundbreaking concept of self-constructing building foundations using engineered bacteria. These bacteria are designed to sense mechanical changes and synthesise material to reinforce soil under load.

_{Research by: Katie A. Gilmour, Jamie Haystead, Akram Karimian, Polly Moreland, Jianye Wang, Jennifer Wright, Thora H Arnardottir, Beate Christgen, Javier Rodrigues Corral, Aurelie Guyet, Meng Zhang, Anil Wipat , Helen Mitrani , Martyn Dade-Robertson}

Bacterial Sculpting is Thora Arnardottir’s PhD research that delves into the processual nature of biominerlisation. The work illuminates the design possibilities inherent in microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) with the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii, navigating the complex dance between designer intent and the unpredictable behaviour of living systems.

_{Research by: Thora Arnardottir, Helen Mitrani and Martyn Dade-Robertson}

Carbon Capture: Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation through CO₂ Sequestration looks into producing calcium carbonate minerals is through use of carbonic anhydrase; an enzyme capable of hydrolysing CO₂ and used in carbon capture systems. 

_{Research by: Katie Gilmour, Prakrit Sharma Ghimire, Jennifer Wright, James Haystead, Martyn Dade-Robertson, Meng Zhang and Paul James}

The biological self-healing research for earthen construction materials investigates the use of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) by soil bacteria, like Sporosarcina pasteurii, to enhance the durability of earth-based construction materials. By embedding these bacteria into compressed earth bricks, our study found a notable improvement in their strength and durability, with treated samples performing up to 70% better than untreated ones. 

_{Research by: Derrick Mwebaza, Magdalini Theodoridou, Martyn Dade-Robertson, Agostino Walter Bruno, and Ben Bridgens}

The research on Healing Masonry prototype introduces a blend of biological self-healing systems into masonry materials, presenting a sustainable alternative to conventional construction. Utilising Sporosarcina pasteurii for biomineralisation, the project transforms red lime mortar into a visually engaging medium that shifts colour as it repairs itself and highlights the aesthetic and protective advantages of biomineralisation in building materials.

_{Research by: Magdalini Theodoridou, Derrick Mwebaza, Martyn Dade-Robertson, Angela Sherry, Meng Zhang, Dilan Ozkan, Armand Agraviador, and Oliver Perry}

eMICP tackles the dual challenges of ageing infrastructure: the economic burden of maintaining concrete and its environmental impact, notably cement’s contribution to CO2 emissions. It explores microbial-based carbonate precipitation as an innovative, sustainable technology to extend the lifespan of concrete structures. By promoting self-healing capabilities within concrete, the project aims to reduce the reliance on new materials, cutting down both costs and carbon footprint. The initiative seeks to overcome current limitations in the field through advanced modelling and simulation techniques, providing a cost-effective, scalable solution for enhancing the durability and sustainability of concrete infrastructure.

_{Research by: Manpreet Bagga, Aleena Alex, Charlotte Hamley-Bennett, Ismael Justo-Reinoso, Susanne Gebhard, Kevin Paine, Enrico Masoero, and Irina D Ofiţeru}

By leveraging Microbiologically Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) in submerged fabric casts with aggregates, this project creates solid structures by binding sand particles with calcium carbonate crystals underwater. Offering scalability and architectural potential, this approach explores efficient biomineralisation in submerged conditions through soft casting methods and optimised “Water Kilns.”

_{Research by: Crystal Wang, Thora H Arnardottir, Soley Eiriksdottir, Jamie Haystead, Meng Zhang, and Martyn Dade-Robertson}

Cresco Biotech Ltd. innovates in biotechnology to develop sustainable biocomposites, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction materials. By leveraging microbial processes to bind waste into new materials, Cresco offers eco-friendly alternatives to products like plasterboard. Their work focuses on scalable Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) techniques. Cresco’s products, from interior panels to decorative elements, are made with 60-90% waste material, embodying circular economy principles and pushing the construction industry towards sustainability.

_{Research by: Ege Savas and Edward Jones
Research Collaborators: Jamie Haystead and Meng Zhang}

This study explores the use of microvascular networks (MVNs) to instill self-healing properties in lime-based mortars, aiming for enhanced durability in building materials. Through laboratory experiments with mortars incorporating empty 3D printed MVNs, Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria, and sodium silicate, they observed significant improvements in flexural strength after damage. 

_{Research by: Magdalini Theodoridou, Cristina De Nardi, Michael Harbottle} 

This research showcases how cyanobacteria, a sustainable nutrient source, can  enhanced growth and biomineralisation capabilities in bacteria such as Sporosarcina pasteurii. These advancements may lead to stronger sand column binding and pave the way for greener construction and environmental practices.

_{Research by: Jamie Haystead, Thora H Arnardottir, Martyn Dade-Robertson, Pierre Reitzer, Robin New, Samantha Bryan, and Meng Zhang} 

This study explores the use of microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for repairing cultural heritage stone structures damaged by armed conflict, such as bullet impacts. It demonstrates how biomineralisation can effectively stabilise fractures and reduce decay rates, offering a sustainable, cost-effective conservation method. Experiments on sandstone cubes with simulated ballistic damage, treated with bacteria, showed significant restoration, highlighting MICP’s potential for preserving heritage transparently and efficiently in post-conflict scenarios.

_{Research by: Derrick Mwebaza, Magdalini Theodoridou, Lisa Mol, Oliver Campbell, Oscar Gilbert, and Michael Harbottle}

The BioTiles project merges scientific innovation with art, crafting unique, sustainable tiles from Icelandic volcanic sand through bacterial biomineralisation. This process harnesses the unpredictable dynamics of sand, liquid, air, and microbes, resulting in tiles with natural pattern formations. The ongoing research focuses on refining the creation of these patterns, exploring the effects of sand variety, grain sizes, and agitation techniques to enhance the tiles’ aesthetic and structural qualities.

_{Research by: Thora H Arnardottir, Brynja Gudnadottir, Soley Sara Eiriksdottir}

This research explores the use of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) by bacteria like Sporosarcina pasteurii and S. ureae as a conservation method for natural stone masonry, enhancing durability without compromising stone breathability. Traditional protective treatments often block stone’s natural porosity, but MICP provides a self-healing, sustainable alternative that extends the life of stone structures. 

_{Research by: Magdalini Theodoridou, Michael Harbottle, Oana Adriana Cuzman, and Brunella Peritto}