Description

Road materials (natural or treated aggregates) are essential for infrastructure construction and maintenance, but their production, transport and use have a significant environmental impact (CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, pollution).
Filamentous fungi offer a promising solution: their mycelium improves soil erosion resistance and stability, while also reducing soil permeability. Their use could enhance the value of local soils (reducing the extraction of aggregates) and reduce the amount of binders (cement, bitumen) in treated materials, thereby limiting their ecological impact.
The aim of the thesis will be to determine whether filamentous fungi can be of interest in the preparation of road materials.

Skills required

With a background in civil engineering, the candidate will have an interest in experimental research and teamwork. Knowledge of microbiology would be a plus.

Bibliography

[1] Vijerathne, D.; Wahala, S.; Illankoon, C. Impact of Crushed Natural Aggregate on Environmental Footprint of the Construction Industry: Enhancing Sustainability in Aggregate Production. Buildings 2024, 14, 2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092770
[2] Andrew, R. M.: Global CO2 emissions from cement production, Earth Syst. Sci. Data 2018, 10, 195–217. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-195-2018
[3] Perri, G.; De Rose, M.; Domitrović, J.; Vaiana, R. CO2 Impact Analysis for Road Embankment Construction: Comparison of Lignin and Lime Soil Stabilization Treatments. Sustainability 2023, 15, 1912. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031912
[4] Jandová, V., Bucková, M., Huzlík, J. et al. Release of PAHs from reclaimed asphalt mixtures into the water environment after passivation by cold in-place recycling technology. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2025, 32, 2455–2466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35875-2
[5] Gou, L., Zhang, X., Gao, H.et al. Fungus-induced sand stabilization: Strength and erosion resistance properties, Eng Geol 2025, 354, 108156,ISSN 0013-7952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108156
[6] Khushnood, R.A., Ali, A.M., Bhatti, M.F. et al. Self-healing fungi concrete using potential strains Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma longibrachiatum, J Build Eng 2022, 50, 104155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104155.
[7] Zhang, X., Fan, X., Li, M. et al. Study on the behaviors of fungi-concrete surface interactions and theoretical assessment of its potentials for durable concrete with fungal-mediated self-healing, J Clean Prod 2021, 292, 125870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125870.
[8] Torres-Farradá, G.; Thijs, S.; Rineau, F.; Guerra, G.; Vangronsveld, J. White Rot Fungi as Tools for the Bioremediation of Xenobiotics: A Review. J. Fungi 2024, 10, 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10030167

Keywords

road materials, mycelium, sustainability