Advanced Bacterial BioMaterials for Engineering Applications

细菌能够产生各种各样的矿物(生物矿物)，这些矿物在土木工程和环境工程应用中具有巨大的水泥和密封剂潜力。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。本博士学位将探索如何通过加入聚合物、离子和纳米颗粒等添加剂来修饰细菌产生的生物矿物质，以提高其机械性能。通过这种方式，细菌产生的材料可以被修改以发挥特定的作用，例如稳定地面以抵御地震，以及修复对建筑物和基础设施的破坏。这种方法将受到大自然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其他离子和分子的相互作用和结合产生具有优异机械性能的贝壳。受此启发，我们将探索这种类型的矿物增强如何在微生物生成的矿物中提供有利的特性。这将为在工程应用中具有优异性能的新一代细菌生成的矿物提供第一步。

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.