The use of biomaterials in construction is gaining popularity. These materials are derived from renewable natural resources and are less polluting than traditional materials.
Using fungi to make materials reduces our dependence on non-renewable resources and helps solve ecological problems such as waste and pollution. Innovations in this field include self-healing concrete, cellulose insulation and chipboard made of food waste and mycelium.
1. Biodegradable
Currently, many non-recyclable materials from demolished buildings end up in landfills and cause environmental damage. However, by using biodegradable materials in construction, architects can create structures that are sustainable and prevent pollution.
One example is autogenic healing concrete, a type of concrete that contains capsules filled with Bacillus subtilis bacteria. When the concrete cracks, the bacteria are released and fill in the gap. This concrete can then heal itself over time, reducing the need for repairs.
Another option is mycelium, which can be grown on agricultural crop waste such as rice husks and straw to create an organic composite material. Mycelium can also be used to make a foam insulation that could replace synthetic products like polyurethane.
At Penn State, Gursoy’s Form and Matter Lab within the Stuckeman Center for Design Computing is studying how mycelium can be used to fabricate acoustic insulation. The team’s work was recently featured in the Biomaterial Building Exposition at the University of Virginia, which showcased a range of novel approaches to using biomaterials in architecture. The exhibition aims to establish a cross-institutional dialogue and raise awareness of these new approaches to building with biomaterials.
2. Self-healing
For millennia before the age of petroleum, bio-based materials from plants and animals were an essential part of our lives. Now, advances in chemistry, engineering and biotechnology are revolutionizing biomaterials again with new self-healing materials that mimic nature and can repair themselves over time.
These materials can be found in a variety of products, such as biodegradable sutures, drug-release systems and absorbable scaffolding. They can also be made to react with specific diseases to speed up healing or release chemicals for pest control. Many of these materials are based on polymers, which are chains of repeating amino acid subunits. Polylactic and polyglycolic acids, for example, are thermoplastic biodegradable polymers that have become an important ingredient in products such as nylons and polyester-based fabrics.
Wood is another natural material that can be used in construction. It has a lower environmental impact than steel or concrete because trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in their wood tissue. This carbon sequestration counterbalances the embodied carbon in other building materials. Biomaterials can also be combined with other materials to produce composites that have excellent properties such as high strength, durability against biotic and abiotic forces, dimensional stability, and fire resistance.
3. Biomimetic
As the construction industry struggles with climate change, overextended supply chains and material waste, biomimetic materials are helping to solve these ecological challenges. For example, cellulose-based insulation made from wood chips or mycelium is a natural alternative to traditional polyurethane. Hemp, bamboo and algae are also a renewable source of building material. These biomaterials can be recycled and sequester carbon, counterbalancing the emissions of other materials during production.
The study of biological materials offers a wealth of possibilities to engineers, including strategies for multifunctionality through hierarchical structure, damage repair and self-healing. However, transferring these findings into the technical world requires more than just observation of nature. A systematic approach is needed, with solutions stored in databases and retrieved for use in design.
Biomimetic solutions are not only environmentally friendly but can positively impact occupants of buildings. For example, bio-based building materials can react to atmospheric conditions and adapt to the needs of the occupants. This is called biophilic design and rediscovers ancient practices, where humans were a part of a larger ecosystem integrating natural elements into built environments.
4. Biocompatible
The term biocompatible is used to refer to materials engineered specifically to cooperate with biological systems for medical purposes – either therapeutic or diagnostic. The corresponding field of study is called biomaterials science or biomaterials engineering.
Medical biomaterials are generally defined as substances or devices, synthetic or natural in origin, which augment, repair, replace, or modulate any tissue function of the body to treat or diagnose disease. Biomaterials can be constructed of a wide variety of materials such as metals, polymers and ceramics.
In order to be used in medicine, biomaterials must undergo extensive testing to ensure their safety and efficacy. This testing includes biocompatibility tests, which evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of a material and its interaction with biological systems. For example, a skin sensitization assay is used to evaluate the allergenic potential of a biomaterial. This test involves applying a biomaterial extract to the skin of guinea pigs and observing the skin reaction (erythema, swelling). Biomaterials can also be functionalized with ligands to enhance desired material-target interactions. These ligands can guide cell adhesion, proliferation or differentiation.
5. Biodegradable
The use of biodegradable materials in construction helps to reduce waste. After all, if non-recyclable materials are used, they will end up in landfills and can have a negative impact on the environment.
Biodegradable materials are made from natural ingredients that are renewable and sustainable. They also have lower carbon footprints than traditional construction materials.
A popular choice for green builders is bamboo. This material is incredibly versatile and can be used in flooring, walls, furniture and more. It’s also highly sustainable, and it can help to improve indoor air quality.
Another option is hemp. Hemp is a type of cannabis that is not psychoactive and can be used to create textiles, paper, food and building products. It’s also very fast-growing and can help to sequester carbon.
Other biodegradable building materials include straw bales, mycelium and rammed earth. These eco-friendly materials can be used in place of concrete and other expensive materials. They can also be used to make insulation for buildings. Many of these biodegradable materials are modified in order to improve their properties. This can be done through both bulk and surface modification processes.