CEEM Seminar | Wil Srubar | University of Colorado - Boulder
Building with Biology: Biomimetic and Living Materials for the Built Environment
Modern advances in biological engineering are rapidly reshaping construction materials and the future of the built environment. In this talk, Dr. Srubar will present recent interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, materials science, and structural engineering aimed at developing biomimetic, biological, and living material technologies for sustainable infrastructure. The presentation will highlight how synthetic antifreeze proteins can improve concrete durability under freeze–thaw conditions, as well as how microalgae are being leveraged to produce low-carbon admixtures, mineral systems, and living structural materials that reduce—or potentially eliminate—emissions associated with conventional cement production. New insights into the limitations of biological self-healing approaches and portland cement systems will also be discussed. Beyond cementitious materials, the talk will introduce emerging work on biologically stabilized 3D-printed earthen materials and living light systems, expanding the role of biology in sustainable building design. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities at the convergence of biology and construction materials, and the transformative potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of the built environment.
Wil V. Srubar
Dr. Wil V. Srubar III is a professor of civil and architectural engineering and materials science and engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he also serves as associate dean for innovation and entrepreneurship for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Dr. Srubar received his PhD from Stanford University in 2013 in civil and environmental engineering and materials science and engineering. He received his BS degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in 2006 and his MS degree in civil, architectural, and environmental engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 2008, respectively. His interdisciplinary materials science research integrates biology with polymer science and cement chemistry to create low-carbon, biomimetic, and living material technologies for the built environment. To date, his laboratory has received >$14M in sponsored research funding through the US National Science Foundation (NSF), Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), the Department of Energy (DOE), Schmidt Sciences, and DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office. He has authored >100 technical journal articles and conference proceedings, and his work has been highlighted by The New York Times, National Public Radio, Time Magazine, The Economist, and The Washington Post. Dr. Srubar is the recipient of the American Ceramics Society (ACerS) Cements Division Early-Career Award, the NSF CAREER Award, and the Schmidt Sciences Polymath Award, and he was named a Top 25 Newsmaker of 2022 by Engineering News Record. He is a co-founder of three startup companies, Prometheus Materials, Minus Materials, and Aureus Earth.