Bio-bricks face significant strength and durability challenges compared to traditional fired clay bricks. Current microbial-cemented specimens achieve compressive strengths of 4 MPa, while conventional bricks typically reach 10-20 MPa. This strength differential, combined with variable curing conditions and material heterogeneity, has limited widespread adoption of bio-based construction materials.

The core engineering challenge lies in achieving sufficient mechanical strength while maintaining the sustainability benefits of bio-based materials and microbial cementation processes.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including controlled microbial cementation techniques, organic-geopolymer coatings, biopolymeric cross-linking networks, and hybrid composites using agricultural residues. These and other approaches focus on practical methods to enhance compressive strength and durability while preserving the environmental advantages of bio-based construction materials.

1. Bio-Brick Formation via Microbial Cementation with Controlled Liquid Application and Compacting Technique

Shandong University, SHANDONG UNIVERSITY, 2024

Bio-brick production using microbial cementation involves compacting a mixture of powder and microorganisms, followed by controlled liquid application for rapid cementation. The process produces bio-bricks with enhanced mechanical strength compared to conventional cementation methods. The microorganisms catalyze carbonate precipitation in the pore spaces, creating a self-healing material that achieves high compressive strength (over 4MPa) without the need for traditional cement. The bio-bricks can be produced using a novel, compacting-liquid-feeding approach that balances microorganism concentration with cement volume.

2. Steel Slag Brick with Organic-Geopolymer Coating and Microbial Mineralization

SHANXI JIANLONG IND CO LTD, SHANXI JIANLONG INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, UNIV WUHAN TECH, 2024

Organic-geopolymer-coated microbial mineralized steel slag brick that enhances its mechanical properties through controlled hydration. The brick preparation involves coating a mineralized steel slag with an organic geopolymer, followed by microbial mineralization that produces calcium carbonate. The geopolymer coating prevents uneven expansion of the steel slag, while the microbial mineralization process enhances its compressive strength. The combination of these two technologies provides improved mechanical performance compared to conventional methods.

CN118754533A-patent-drawing

3. Modular Construction Blocks with Seaweed Biomass Core and Interlocking Impermeable Shell

SEABRICK SOCIETY, 2023

Biomass-based modular construction blocks made through a novel interlocking brick system that integrates seaweed biomass with a durable, impermeable shell. The system enables the creation of buoyant, low-carbon structures that can withstand oceanic conditions while maintaining structural integrity. The biomass components are treated with specialized coatings to enhance their performance characteristics, while the shell provides comprehensive protection against environmental factors. The modular design allows for flexible connections between blocks, enabling the creation of complex structures that can be assembled into larger, cohesive units.

WO2023168537A1-patent-drawing

4. Hollow Brick Comprising Shale, Straw Powder, and Waste Material with Specific Additive Ratios

DINGYUAN MINGYOU WALL MAT CO LTD, 2023

Environmentally friendly high-toughness hollow brick with improved seismic performance and enhanced durability. The brick composition comprises 40-50% shale, 10-15% waste material, 10-15% straw powder, 10-15% composite cement, 0.1-0.2% cement strengthening agent, 6.95-9.9% early strength agent, and 7.95-9.9% toughening agent. The composition incorporates pulverized shale and straw powder for enhanced mechanical properties, while the waste material and cement enhance durability and seismic performance. The preparation process involves pulping and grinding the shale and straw powder, followed by mixing with the cement and other components.

5. Composite Bricks Comprising Natural Lime, Bagasse, Hemp Fibers, and Zeolite Binder

BUILDINGS & SERVICES S R L S, BUILDINGS & SERVICES S.R.L.S, 2022

Ecological bricks made from a mixture of natural lime, bagasse, and hemp fibers with zeolite as a binder. The bricks combine the thermal insulation properties of natural materials with the structural integrity of cement-based bricks, while incorporating zeolite for enhanced desalination and mold control. The composition can be optimized by adjusting the proportions of lime, bagasse, hemp fibers, and zeolite.

CU20210011A7-patent-drawing

6. Bio-Brick Forming Device with Electrochemical Curing and Telescopic Discharge Mechanism

西南石油大学, SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY, 2022

A low-carbon energy-saving bio-brick forming device that enables rapid production of bio-bricks through microbial solidification. The device comprises a mold with a liquid storage cavity and forming cavity, featuring a sand box with an open top and bottom, a frame with a discharge hole, and a telescopic tube connected to the discharge hole. The mold is filled with selected sand particles, mixed with bacterial liquid and cementing liquid, and cured in an electrochemical environment. The curing process involves repeated positive and negative electrode connections, allowing the formation of calcium carbonate cemented sand particles that improve brick compactness and mechanical properties.

7. Biopolymeric Mortars with Microorganism-Induced Cross-Linked Network Formation

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO A BODY CORPORATE, 2022

Biopolymeric mortars that incorporate microorganisms to enhance their mechanical properties through a synergistic approach. The mortars contain dormant microorganisms, nutrient media, matrix components, and precipitated materials. When cured, the microorganisms transform into a cross-linked network that fills voids and strengthens the structure, while the nutrient media provide metabolic activity. This living matrix enables self-repair capabilities, making the mortars suitable for applications requiring durable, adaptive building materials.

8. Hollow Bricks Comprising Polymerized Methyl Methacrylate and Hollow Glass Beads

Anhui Kunmeng New Building Materials Co., Ltd., ANHUI KUNMENG NEW BUILDING MATERIALS CO LTD, 2021

Lightweight, environmentally friendly hollow bricks with enhanced seismic performance and load-bearing capacity. The bricks are prepared through a proprietary polymerization process involving methyl methacrylate, glycidol, sodium carbonate, calcium chloride, sodium methoxide, hollow glass beads, and vegetable glue. The resulting material combines the structural integrity of traditional hollow bricks with improved seismic resistance and load-bearing capacity.

9. Refractory Brick with Charred Gemstone and Q-Al2O3 Micropowder Composition

XINYI BEIMEI HIGH-TECH REFRACTORY MATERIALS CO LTD, 2021

High-strength, environmentally friendly refractory brick for cement rotary kilns developed through a novel preparation process. The brick combines a unique blend of charred gemstones, rock soil, clay, silicon sulfide, and elemental silicon aggregates with Q-Al2O3 micropowders. This composition enhances the brick's mechanical properties while promoting microporation through pore-forming agents. The process involves multiple drying stages at controlled temperatures to achieve optimal porosity and mechanical strength.

10. Raw Material Mixture for Ceramic Bricks Comprising Clay, Ash-Gravel, Crushed Coal, and Phosphate Filtration Slurry with Additives for Hydration Enhancement

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Raw material mixture for ceramic construction bricks with enhanced performance characteristics, which enables the production of bricks with improved strength and density through controlled sintering processes. The mixture combines clay, ash-gravel, crushed coal, and phosphate filtration slurry, with the addition of specific additives to enhance the ceramic material's hydration properties. The mixture enables the formation of hydrated shells around clay particles, resulting in a more uniform and denser ceramic structure. This composition addresses the traditional challenges of ceramic brick production by creating a more consistent and reliable raw material base for the industry, while also addressing environmental concerns through the controlled disposal of waste materials.

11. Brick Formation Process Incorporating Biomass-Infused Refractory Clay Mixture

ZHU MAI, 2018

Making bricks through a novel process that integrates biomass energy into refractory clay mixtures. The process involves mixing finely ground biomass energy with refractory clay and a controlled amount of water to create a slurry. The slurry is then mixed with mullite and other refractory materials to form a uniform mixture. This mixture is then compressed into a brick shape, where the compressed material is fired to produce a durable and insulating brick.

CN107651935A-patent-drawing

12. Reinforced Masonry Brick Production via Coconut Fiber Extrusion and Injection

INST FEDERAL DE EDUCACAO CIENCIA E TECNOLOGIA DA BAHIA IFBA, 2017

A process for producing reinforced masonry bricks using coconut fibers as a natural reinforcement material. The process involves extruding and injecting coconut fibers into a cement-based mixture to create composite bricks with improved mechanical properties compared to conventional reinforced masonry bricks. The fibers are incorporated into the cement matrix through a continuous extrusion and injection process, allowing for precise control over fiber distribution and orientation. The resulting bricks exhibit enhanced mechanical strength, thermal insulation, and dimensional stability, making them suitable for non-structural masonry applications.

13. Ceramic Brick Composition with Clay-Glass-Biosolids Mixture for Single-Stage Low-Temperature Sintering

Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DEL ESTADO DE MORELOS, 2017

Energy-efficient ceramics production using a novel clay-glass-biosolids mixture. The composition combines clay, tezontle, glass residues, and biosolids to produce bricks with superior mechanical properties through a single-stage sintering process at lower temperatures compared to traditional kiln-sintered ceramics. The mixture's unique properties arise from the synergistic effects of these components, particularly the tezontle's refractory aluminosilicates, which form a vitreous phase at lower temperatures than traditional ceramics. This approach enables the production of bricks with high compressive strength, cold resistance, and improved mechanical durability compared to conventional ceramics.

MX2016006999A-patent-drawing

14. Brick Composed of Natural and Recycled Materials with Integrated Supplementary Cementitious Components

ZIBO YONGCHEN ENV IMPACT ASSESSMENT CO LTD, 2016

A sustainable, high-performance green brick made from a novel combination of natural and recycled materials. The brick combines the traditional properties of clay with the added benefits of recycled aggregates and supplementary cementitious materials. This innovative blend enables the production of bricks with improved thermal insulation, strength, and durability while reducing the environmental impact of traditional clay-based bricks.

15. Layered Fiber-Reinforced Brick with Diatomaceous Earth, Graphite, and Triangular Straw Fiber Matrix

Liu Peiren, PEIREN LIU, 2016

Fiber-reinforced straw brick with enhanced thermal performance and durability. The brick features a layered structure comprising a diatomaceous earth base, graphite and wood fiber middle layers, and a top layer of triangular-shaped straw fibers. The straw fibers are strategically integrated with a binding agent to create a robust and crack-resistant matrix. This innovative construction combines the natural insulation properties of straw with the benefits of modern building materials, addressing common issues associated with traditional straw bricks.

16. Aerated Brick Comprising Biomass-Infused Suzhou Soil with Composite Additives

HEFEI LANKE NEW MATERIAL CO LTD, 2015

High-load-bearing brick Suzhou soil aerated, utilizing biomass as a primary raw material component. The brick combines biomass powder, aluminum sulfate, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, dipotassium licorice, glycidyl methacrylate, divinylbenzene, polyvinyl alcohol, and aminopropyl triethoxysilane to create a lightweight, thermal-insulating construction material.

17. Method for Producing Solid Bricks Using Specific Raw Material Blend

LIUZHOU SUBURBAN GULIANG NO 3 BRICK FIELD, 2015

A method for producing high-performance solid bricks through a novel combination of raw materials. The process involves a specific blend of coal, straw, silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, ferro-ferric oxide, corundum, chromium, and silicon carbide. The raw materials are combined in a controlled ratio to produce a dense, non-corrosive, and energy-efficient solid brick with enhanced thermal resistance. The composition provides improved mechanical properties, including increased rupture resistance, compared to conventional solid bricks.

18. Sintered Shale Brick with Specific Wood Ash and Coal Composition

GUANGXI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 2015

A new type of sintered shale brick with improved structural integrity and performance characteristics for building construction. The brick contains a specific weight fraction of wood ash, shale, and burning coal, with the ash content ranging between 20-30% and the coal content between 5-12%. This composition provides enhanced mechanical properties, including improved compressive strength and resistance to cracking, while maintaining a natural, porous structure. The brick's unique composition enables superior durability and performance compared to conventional sintered bricks, particularly in applications requiring high load-bearing capacity and resistance to environmental stressors.

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