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H2020Individual fellowship2017–2020

Biocrete · Bio-inspired bacteria-based stress-responsive concrete.

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2017-11-01 → 2020-12-31
EU contribution
€242,930
Participants
2
Scheme
MSCA-IF-GF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Biocrete – Bio-inspired bacteria-based stress-responsive concrete.

Concrete is the construction material of choice. Deterioration of concrete infrastructure, however, represents a huge societal burden. Bacteria-based self-healing concrete offers a promising solution to this problem; even so, the calcium carbonate healing material formed by this technology is weak and brittle, making the concrete susceptible to further damage. The Biocrete project aims to develop a biologically inspired bacteria-based stress-responsive concrete. The project cross-pollinates knowledge and competences of bio-inspired materials synthesis and cementitious materials technology; via the partnering of groups at the Delft University of Technology (TUD), The Netherlands and Cornell University (CU), United States of America. This cross-pollination has resulted in fundamental understanding and novel strategies for controllably forming calcite crystal composite materials in hydrogel systems. This work not only adds to our understanding of how Nature forms her mineralized tissues; it also provides the first promising platform for rationally controlling bacteria-induced mineral precipitates for self-healing concrete applications. The next phase of the project will seek to gain such control over bacteria-induced mineral precipitation and incorporate this technology into cementitious materials. It is envisaged that the resulting Biocrete will have a superior crack healing action over conventional concrete, resulting in better functional performance and more durable, sustainable concrete construction.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The proposed project aims to develop biocrete a bio-inspired stress-responsive concrete. Biocrete will be realized through the cross-pollination of the fields of: bacteria-based self-healing concrete; and bio-inspired organic-inorganic materials synthesis. This cross-pollination will see bacteria incorporated in hydrogel systems for the formation of novel bio-inspired bacteria-activated organic-inorganic composite materials, or bio-composite materials for short. In order to develop these bio-composite materials technologies the applicant will receive advanced training in organic-inorganic materials synthesis, with a focus on calcium carbonate precipitation in polymer hydrogels. He will also master state-of-the-art organic-inorganic materials analysis techniques including serial sectioning by cryo-focused ion beam milling (cryo-FIB), and ultimately by cryo-scanning transmission electron microscopy (cryo-STEM). Such techniques will provide insights on the formation of the bio-composite materials, which will be key in ultimately controlling their morphology and mechanical properties. Biocrete will be born through the incorporation of these bio-composite materials technologies into concrete materials. Biocrete will be tested for its crack sealing and mechanical performance. It is envisaged biocrete have a superior crack healing action over conventional concrete materials, resulting in better functional performance and more durable concrete construction.In preparation for independent research after the project the applicant will also be able to build transferable skills including leadership, mentoring, teaching and grant writing and valorization. The knowledge and skill development gained during the project coupled with the development of a new and exciting research field would be a firm step on the way to the applicant heading his own research group working on the development of ‘Bio-inspired building and construction materials’ at a top European university.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union