Growing bricks instead of firing

by: Mirjam Visser, 2016-03-21 12:54:22 UTC
Sustainability Aspects: Biomimicry is used to grow these bricks like growing coral and shells from sand. By omitting the firing it could save over 800 million tons of carbon emissions exceeding the emissions of global air-transport. Even producing fertilizer as a by product.

different shapes and colors

40% of global carbon dioxide emissions are linked to the construction industry, primarily from exhaustive material production and disposal processes. At bioMASON, they grow their materials by employing microorganisms to grow cement.The inspiration for these bricks came from Gingers study of coral reefs and the process of calcification that leads to their build up. BioMason’s eco-friendly bricks also use the natural process of calcification to gain their structure and strength. To create the bricks, sand is put into a mold and then innoculated with bacteria (Sporasarcina pasteurii). These bacteria are fed with calcium ions suspended in the water. The ions are attracted ot the cell walls of the bacteria, creating in a calcium carbonate shell and the basis for a strong brick.

Unlike traditional brick that requiring days of firing and produce large amounts of emissions as a result, BioMason’s biological bricks are grown in only two to three days – and they are emission free. As an added bonus, Krieg Dossier adds that the bricks can actualy even absorb pollution and include other characteristics such as glow in the dark and colour change properties.

The process of growing bricks is similar to hydroponics- whereby units mixed with the microorganism are fed an aqueous solution to harden the bricks to specification. Traditional bricks are formed in brick units and then fired for hardening.
bioMASON’s process simply eliminates the need for firing by replacing the curing/hardening process with the formation of biologically controlled structural cement.

It is:

  • Made in ambient temperatures, no CO2 emissions, minimal dependency on natural fossil fuels, and can be made on site.
  • No waste in manufacturing
  • Absorbing pollution
  • Product customization in any form you like, changing colors
  • Additive material performance such as increased insulation
  • Nutrients and minerals required in the process are obtained from natural, renewable sources, but may also be extracted from industrial waste streams.
Designer: Ginger Krieg Dosier
Manufacturer: BioMason
Category: Materials
Websites: biomason.com/uses-impact/#invest

Images

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grown bricks
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different shapes and colors
01c3cc20-d192-0133-9c03-4040823e9e3d
grown bricks
by BioMason

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