Key Applications of Biomineralization

Biomineralization is a natural process with significant potential for use in various engineering applications. Engineered biomineralization has been researched intensively, primarily to develop methods to control mineral formation by microorganisms to enable various technologies. Engineered microbial mineral formation processes have developed from theory and a proof-of-principle vision to a technology being applied in the marketplace. Biological manufacturing methods, such as engineered mineral precipitation, can significantly reduce energy-intensive cement manufacturing activities and contribute to resource and climate conservation. This chapter provides an overview of key applications of biomineralization, already realized or currently under development, categorized as aboveground, near-ground, or belowground. Aboveground applications consist of biological building products with potential to replace energy-intensive materials, such as cement. Ground-level applications consist of surface and near-surface stabilization applications which can increase soil stability or treat toxic chemical contamination. Belowground applications include enhanced oil recovery as well as the sealing of leakage pathways around wells. Applications in construction, soil stabilization, and the sealing of leaky wells have advanced the furthest, and some of them have been commercialized; other technologies are on the verge to commercialization. Also described in this chapter are the many metabolic pathways used by microorganisms, which can result in mineral precipitation, where urea hydrolysis-induced calcium carbonate precipitation is the technology likely used most frequently in full-scale applications. Much research and development work remains to be performed in this field, and additional applications for biomineralization will be developed in the construction, environmental, biotechnology, and medical fields. This chapter reviews in some detail existing research and development activities with a focus on parameters important for engineered biomineralization applications.