Self-repairing polymeric coatings

Abstract

A coating composition may include a polymeric binder and bacteria that exhibit biologically induced mineralization (BIM) or biologically controlled mineralization (BCM) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the presence of environmental calcium. The bacteria may exhibit BIM or BCM of CaCO3 using the ChaA antiporter protein. The coating formulations may be used to form coatings that exhibit self-healing properties in response to damage, such as a cut, tear, puncture, abrasion, or the like. For example, in response to being exposed to the damage, the bacteria may utilize nutrients, a calcium source, and water to cause precipitation of CaCO3 at the site of the damage. The nutrients, the calcium source, and the water may be provided as part of the coating formulation, as part of another layer of a coating system, from an external source (e.g., an applied spray or wash), or combinations thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.