Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a bio-engineering technique that uses specific bacteria to induce the precipitation of calcite (calcium carbonate) within materials, such as concrete or soil, to enhance their structural integrity and stability.
MICP addresses issues of infrastructure degradation due to cracking and erosion by providing a self-healing mechanism that can extend the lifespan of concrete structures and stabilize soil environments without the need for frequent maintenance interventions.
In MICP, selected bacteria are introduced into the material. These bacteria consume organic matter and release enzymes that facilitate the chemical reaction between calcium ions from the surrounding environment and carbonate ions, precipitating calcite crystals. Over time, these crystals fill cracks and bind aggregates, effectively healing or stabilizing the material.
The manufacturing process involves selecting appropriate bacteria strains, preparing bacterial suspensions, and formulating them into a solution or paste that can be applied to the material. The application method can vary from direct injection to surface coating.
During construction, MICP solutions are typically applied after initial curing of concrete or soil stabilization is achieved. This involves applying the bacterial suspension to cracks or areas requiring repair and allowing it to interact with the environment over time to induce calcite precipitation.
Field units draw low hundreds of watts; fabrication is energy-intensive due to vacuum baking. The overall operational power consumption is relatively low compared to traditional repair methods but higher during the initial manufacturing phase.
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