Greening Concrete with biofilms: Codesigning with nature
- uilding envelopes act as artificial lithic surfaces and natural substrates for subaerial biofilms, whose establishment depends on surface bioreceptivity. This study investigates how concrete cladding can be engineered to support microalgae‑dominated biofilms. A multi‑stage experimental framework—ranging from petri‑dish cultivation and adhesion testing to laboratory weathering simulations and outdoor exposure—was applied. A reproducible dual alga–fungus model biofilm enabled controlled assessment, with algal vitality quantified using PAM fluorometry.
Results identify pH and carbonation as primary determinants of successful colonization, while nutrient addition has only minor influence. Adhesion tests show that moderate stress can enhance resilience to hydrodynamic forces. Rain‑simulation experiments highlight the importance of surface texture and near‑surface porosity for water retention, microbial attachment, and sustained growth. A synergistic interaction between algae and fungiuilding envelopes act as artificial lithic surfaces and natural substrates for subaerial biofilms, whose establishment depends on surface bioreceptivity. This study investigates how concrete cladding can be engineered to support microalgae‑dominated biofilms. A multi‑stage experimental framework—ranging from petri‑dish cultivation and adhesion testing to laboratory weathering simulations and outdoor exposure—was applied. A reproducible dual alga–fungus model biofilm enabled controlled assessment, with algal vitality quantified using PAM fluorometry.
Results identify pH and carbonation as primary determinants of successful colonization, while nutrient addition has only minor influence. Adhesion tests show that moderate stress can enhance resilience to hydrodynamic forces. Rain‑simulation experiments highlight the importance of surface texture and near‑surface porosity for water retention, microbial attachment, and sustained growth. A synergistic interaction between algae and fungi under stress conditions may explain the poor outdoor performance of biofilms cultivated under ideal laboratory conditions.
Overall, optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, organismal growth, and adhesion strength is essential for developing durable algal biofilm‑based façade systems.…


| Autor*innen: | Julia von WerderORCiD |
|---|---|
| Koautor*innen: | Leonie StohlORCiD, Jake CookORCiD, Chiara TononORCiD |
| Dokumenttyp: | Vortrag |
| Veröffentlichungsform: | Präsentation |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2025 |
| Organisationseinheit der BAM: | 4 Material und Umwelt |
| 4 Material und Umwelt / 4.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere | |
| 7 Bauwerkssicherheit | |
| 7 Bauwerkssicherheit / 7.1 Baustoffe | |
| DDC-Klassifikation: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Ingenieurbau |
| Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik | |
| Freie Schlagwörter: | Biofilm; Bioreceptivity; Concrete; Fluorometry; Laboratory test |
| Themenfelder/Aktivitätsfelder der BAM: | Infrastruktur |
| Infrastruktur / Green Intelligent Building | |
| Umwelt | |
| Umwelt / Umwelt-Material-Interaktionen | |
| Veranstaltung: | 4th International Conference of Sustainable Building Materials |
| Veranstaltungsort: | Eindhoven, The Netherlands |
| Beginndatum der Veranstaltung: | 10.08.2025 |
| Enddatum der Veranstaltung: | 13.08.2025 |
| Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") |
| Datum der Freischaltung: | 02.02.2026 |
| Referierte Publikation: | Nein |
| Eingeladener Vortrag (wissenschaftliche Konferenzen): | Nein |

