College

College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Date of Last Revision

2024-09-19 12:08:36

Major

Chemical Engineering

Honors Course

497-001

Number of Credits

3

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2024

Abstract

To determine the lowest concentration of spore added to polyurethane-cement composite (PUCCO) particles that can still germinate after curing in concrete. This research project is a small addition to the larger research project being undertaken by Mirza Mohammed Rashiduzzaman for his Masters. The larger project involves the use of fungal spores added in concrete to act as a self-healing component when cracks form in the concrete structure over time. These spores are suspended in a protective oil and loaded into small, hardened sponge-like PUCCO cubes to act as growth points when water and air can reach the PUCCO in the concrete structure. PUCCO have been loaded generally through a spore loading process that involves scraping/collection with vegetable oil. This leads to an unknown viability decrease of the PUCCO protected spores, going through concrete mixing, curing process, and different service. Determining the lower limit of spores needed reduces excess spore being wasted in the process, leading to increased output and reduced costs.

Research Sponsor

Dr. Lu-Kwang Ju

First Reader

Dr. Anil Patnaik

Second Reader

Mirza M. Rashiduzzaman

Honors Faculty Advisor

Bi-min Zhang Newby

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

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