Format: On Campus
Number of Students: 3
Duration of Project: 30 June – 8 August
Project Supervisor: Assoc. Prof Zeynep Başaran Bundur  
Research Areas:  Building Materials, 3D-Printing
Daily Supervisor: Ilgın Sandalcı

Application Deadline: 11 June 2025

Project Description: Fulfilling the ambition for keeping global carbon neutrality, using alternative zero-carbon resources is becoming more essential in the design of building materials. Soil material (Earth material) systems are low-carbon and resource-efficient alternatives to cement-based systems; however, their use still needs to be improved due to major material-related problems, including providing a sustainable stabilization method, particularly for 3D printing applications. Bio2Print (Biomineralization revisited: biological routes for printable earth materials) projects aim to adapt soil materials to 3D printing by improving the material's rheology and providing stabilization by triggering biocementation

Project Objectives:

(O1) Define a step-by-step mixing protocol to provide required extrudability and buildability during 3D printing. 

(O2) Establish a carbon-neutral mix design for printable soil materials by correlating molecular changes during biocementation to the performance of the 3D-printed material

Project Tasks:

• Prepare bacterial cultures and test the efficiency of biomineralization 
• Establish a mix protocol for soil materials
• Develop 3D printable soil materials
• Demonstrate a final element with the designed soil material.

Deliverables: 

The interns will present their work using a detailed poster.

Benefits for the Student: 

The students will develop a strong background in:

• Microbiology
• Soil characterization and material design
• Rheology of Building Materials
• 3D printing of building materials

Requirements: 

• Be able to understand scientific terminology in English
• Interest in Biology, Chemistry, and Material Science
• Be able to work in groups
• Can enjoy working in a lab☺

You can apply this project from THE LINK!