• PROJECT TITLE: Bioluminescent microbial coating for architectural surfaces (BIOLUMICOAT)
• PROJECT LEADER: Wojciech Pajerski, PhD
• PERIOD: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2026
• BUDGET: 153.102 EUR
• FINANCING: ARIS

Bioinspired materials that implement strategies from biological systems to augment material performance have become an important part of promoting innovations and breakthroughs in modern materials development. Bioluminescence, the emission of light by certain living organisms, offers a novel approach to designing with light. The BIOLUMICOAT project aims to pioneer an innovative method for creating bioluminescent microbial living coatings on architectural materials. The project aligns with the growing demand for environmentally friendly materials and sustainable lighting solutions. It seeks to optimize microbial bioluminescence, achieve efficient microorganism settlement on surfaces, and comprehensively characterize the coated surfaces. The BIOLUMICOAT project possesses a highly interdisciplinary character, capitalizing on the synergistic fusion of microbiological expertise, innovative material functionalization, cutting-edge characterization techniques, and implementation of the results in sustainable architecture. The proposed bioinspired treatment incorporates ideas for sustainable materials design, circularity, and energy efficiency, thus lowering the negative impact on the environment. Consequently, the utilization of microorganisms as natural light emitters should allow a transition from artificial to natural illumination and boost bioinspired and sustainable architectural design.