Description
The Healing Masonry prototype investigates the application of emergent biological self-healing systems to masonry materials through Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) or biomineralisation. MICP is a naturally occurring process in living organisms where precipitation of minerals occurs due to the interaction of metabolic by-products of microorganisms and ions present in that environment.Biomineralisation has been explored for consolidating porous materials, such as soil, building stone, and concrete. The potential of microbes to induce calcium carbonate precipitation has also been studied as a biological self-healing technique for developing materials capable of sensing and repairing damage. However, the technology remains largely unexplored for cementless environmentally friendly materials, such as building stone, lime-based mortars and earth-based composites, which are commonly found in masonry and heritage structures globally. Such materials are bioreceptive and suitable for biomineralisation. Unlike many conventional heritage conservation methods, biomineralisation-based treatments are inherently compatible with traditional materials, require lower energy input, and can be self-regenerating, significantly reducing intervention frequency and environmental impact. Previous and ongoing research has shown evidence that MICP could be successfully used to develop self-healing masonry materials. In this research, Sporosarcina pasteurii have been used for inducing biomineralisation and provide self-healing properties to lime-based construction composites.
| Period | 2 Sept 2025 → 4 Sept 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 7th Historic Mortars Conference |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Padova, ItalyShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |