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  4. Mechanotransduction-Guided Microbial Mineralization: A Multiscale Model for Stress-Responsive MICP Using Individual-Based DEM Simulation

Mechanotransduction-Guided Microbial Mineralization: A Multiscale Model for Stress-Responsive MICP Using Individual-Based DEM Simulation

File(s)
RoppinSureshKumar_cornell_0058O_12510.pdf (46.21 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/n6mg-4742
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/120695
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Roppin SureshKumar, Naveen
Abstract

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) provides a biologically programmable route to fabricate functional composites; however, conventional strategies lack spatial control over mineral topology. This thesis explores mechanically directed MICP using a Lagrangian individual-based model (IbM) coupled with discrete element method (DEM) mechanics within the NUFEB framework. Microbial agents, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and mineral phases are modeled as deformable particles using the LAMMPS granular module with Verlet integration. Cellular growth, nutrient uptake, and urease production follow Monod kinetics and are coupled to local stress fields through mechanotransductive feedback. Advection–diffusion–reaction equations govern solute transport across an Eulerian voxel grid, coupling microbial activity to chemical gradients. The model simulates a hypothetical stress-responsive ureolytic bacterium that amplifies force asymmetries into anisotropic precipitation patterns, enabling the study of mechanotransduction-guided mineralization. External rigid-body constraints impose localized confinement and guide precipitation through template-assisted assembly. The results suggest that directional mineralization can emerge from coupled feedback between stress fields, reaction–diffusion dynamics, and microbial stress sensitivity. This work establishes a multiscale modeling foundation for programmable, stress-adaptive mineralization and highlights confinement geometry and mechanical feedback as tunable design parameters for self-structuring Engineered Living Materials (ELM).

Description
149 pages
Date Issued
2025-08
Keywords
Engineered Living Materials (ELMs)
•
Individual-based modeling (IbM)
•
Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP)
•
NUFEB Framework
•
Stress-Responsive Biomineralization
•
Template-assisted assembly
Committee Chair
Yeo, Jingjie
Committee Member
Barstow, Buz
Degree Discipline
Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Name
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Level
Master of Science
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Type
dissertation or thesis

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