Methods of forming minerals using biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing macroorganisms and compositions formed using same
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
InventorsWilfred V. Srubar, III, Sarah Lynn Williams, Jeffrey Cameron, Mija Hubler, Sherri Cook, Aparna Nagarajan, Chelsea Heveran
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Abstract
Methods of forming cement pastes, methods of forming concrete, and methods of forming other compositions using mineral particles formed from the one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing microorganisms. Desired features, such as size and morphology, can be controlled by controlling growth parameters of the biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing microorganisms.
Claims18
A method of forming concrete, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a growth medium;
- providing one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing macroorganisms within the growth medium;
- producing mineral particles using the one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing macroorganisms within the growth medium by photosynthesis;
- separating the mineral particles from the growth medium;
- forming portland cement paste using the mineral particles separated from the growth medium;
- and
- mixing the cement paste with sand and aggregate,
- wherein the concrete comprises about 30 to about 45 wt % aggregate, about 25 to about 40 wt % sand, and about 5 to about 10 wt % cement paste, and
- wherein the mineral particles comprise at least one of amorphous silicon dioxide particles or crystalline calcium carbonate particles.
A method of forming cement paste, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a growth medium;
- providing one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing macroorganisms within the growth medium;
- producing mineral particles using the one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing macroorganisms within the growth medium by photosynthesis;
- separating the mineral particles from the growth medium;
- forming one or more of portland cement and portland cement paste using the mineral particles separated from the growth medium;
- and
- mitigating excess organic matter prior to forming one or more of portland cement and portland cement paste using the mineral particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.