Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
05:10
A Microfluidic Platform to Study Bioclogging in Porous Media
Published on: October 13, 2022
Biocementation shows a three-dimensional geometry dependence in microfluidic pore networks mapped by deep-learning
Brooke E Filanoski1, Marisa L Bobal1, Kendal R Phinney1
1Cornell University, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Lab on a Chip
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is controlled by pore geometry. Taller channels and higher porosity favor larger mineral deposits, impacting material properties.
Area of Science:
- Geology
- Microbiology
- Material Science
Background:
- Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) offers potential for creating load-bearing materials from granular media.
- Understanding pore-scale design rules for MICP is crucial for optimizing its application in engineered materials.
- Current knowledge gaps exist in linking microfluidic geometry, transport phenomena, and mineral precipitation patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and utilize a microfluidic platform for investigating MICP in controlled pore geometries.
- To establish pore-scale design rules governing MICP in architectures relevant to living building materials.
- To quantify the relationship between pore geometry, transport, and CaCO3 precipitation outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A resin-molded microfluidic pore-network platform mimicking coarse-aggregate architectures was fabricated.
- Sporosarcina pasteurii was used to induce calcium carbonate precipitation within the microfluidic devices.
- Paired brightfield and transmitted-light polarization microscopy were employed for imaging and quantifying CaCO3.
- Automated image segmentation facilitated high-throughput analysis of precipitation coverage, particle density, and feature size.
Main Results:
- Precipitation outcomes were significantly influenced by channel height and porosity.
- Pillar diameter had no measurable effect on precipitation coverage when porosity and height were constant.
- Lower porosity increased particle density but limited feature growth.
- Higher porosity and taller channels promoted larger, coalescing deposits and continuous films.
Conclusions:
- Channel height and porosity collectively regulate diffusive replenishment and byproduct dilution, controlling MICP regimes.
- These factors shift mineralization between nucleation-dominated (small deposits) and coalescence-dominated (large features) patterns.
- The findings provide critical pore-scale design insights for optimizing MICP in engineered geomaterials.
