Advanced Bacterial BioMaterials for Engineering Applications

细菌能够产生各种各样的矿物（生物矿物），这些矿物具有作为土木和环境工程应用的水泥和密封剂的巨大潜力。然而，如果我们能够调整生物矿物的机械性能，使它们更适合特定的任务，这种生物技术可以得到改进。这个博士将探索如何细菌产生的生物矿物可以通过掺入添加剂，如聚合物，离子和纳米粒子，以提高其机械性能进行修改。通过这种方式，细菌产生的材料可以被修改为特定的角色，例如稳定地震地面以及修复建筑物和基础设施的损坏。这种方法将受到自然界已经产生的先进生物矿物的启发。例如，贻贝和牡蛎等生物通过与其他离子和分子的相互作用和结合产生具有上级机械性能的壳。受此启发，我们将探索这种类型的矿物质增强如何在微生物生成的矿物质中提供有利的特性。这将为新一代细菌产生的矿物在工程应用中具有上级性能迈出第一步。

Bacteria are able to generate a diverse array of minerals (biominerals) which have significant potential as cements and sealants for civil and environmental engineering applications. However, this biotechnology can be improved upon if we can tune the mechanical properties of the biominerals so they are better suited for specific tasks. This PhD will explore how bacterially generated biominerals can be modified by incorporation of additives, such as polymers, ions and nanoparticles, to enhance their mechanical properties. In this way, bacterially generated materials could be modified for specific roles, such as stabilizing ground against earthquakes and for repairing damage to buildings and infrastructure. This approach will be inspired by the advanced biominerals already produced by nature. For example, organisms such as mussels and oysters produce shells of superior mechanical properties through the interaction and incorporation of other ions and molecules. Inspired by this, we will explore how this type of mineral enhancement can provide advantageous properties in microbially generated minerals. This will provide the first steps towards a new generation of bacterially generated minerals with superior performance in engineering applications.