This book provides a detailed overview of the microorganisms that form the initial growth on the exterior façades of buildings. It deals with the ecophysiological properties that characterize the basic conditions under which these microorganisms can occur on façades. In addition to an identification key for the types and forms of microorganisms, this book provides a detailed description of the individual organisms, stating their ecological range. Furthermore, the various ecological parameters are discussed in short chapters. Measures to prevent and combat the colonization of façades with microorganisms are also addressed. Specialists (architects, construction experts), builders, scientists and master students can find all the information they need on facade algae and fungi here.

This book provides a detailed overview of the microorganisms that form the initial growth on the exterior façades of buildings. It deals with the ecophysiological properties that characterize the basic conditions under which these microorganisms can occur on façades. In addition to an identification key for the types and forms of microorganisms, this book provides a detailed description of the individual organisms, stating their ecological range. Furthermore, the various ecological parameters are discussed in short chapters. Measures to prevent and combat the colonization of façades with microorganisms are also addressed. Specialists (architects, construction experts), builders, scientists and master students can find all the information they need on facade algae and fungi here. The authors Dr. Wolfgang Karl Hofbauer is chief scientist (taxonomy, ecophysiology and genetics) of the department Environment, Sensors and Hygiene at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics. His professional research areas are taxonomy and ecophysiology of organisms on building surfaces, about which he did his doctorate in 2008, genetic barcoding of building relevant (micro)organisms and greening of building surfaces. Retired Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c Georg Gärtner worked and researched at the University of Innsbruck on the cultivation and taxonomy of soil-and airborne. algae for many years. In 2012, Prof. Gärtner was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sofia University for his services to the cooperation in algal studies between the botanical institutes of the University of Innsbruck and the University of Sofia.

The report of a comprehensive investigation by RILEM which examines all aspects of the cleaning of facades, subject to soiling by both biological and non-biological agencies. The contributors are international authorities working in this field giving essential advice to all those who need to know how to approach the problems connected with the soiling and cleaning of building facades.

This book will serve as a primer for readers to understand recent advances, applications, and current challenges in the field of Engineered Living Materials. The chapters cover core science and engineering research areas, including (1) advances in synthetic biology and genetic programmability for Engineered Living Materials, (2) functional Engineered Living Material for application in energy, electronics, and construction, and (3) novel manufacturing approaches for Engineered Living Materials at multiple scales. The emerging field of Engineered Living Materials represents a significant paradigm shift in materials design and synthesis, in which living cells are used to impart biologically active functionalities to manmade materials. The result is a genetically programmable augmentation of non-living matter to exhibit unprecedented life-like (i.e., living) capabilities. At the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science, the field of Engineered Living Materials exhibits unprecedented promise and potential to alter the way we synthesize new materials and design medical devices, fabrics, robotics, commodity polymers, and construction materials. Materials with attributes of living systems can be engineered with an ability to respond to their environment and designed to self-repair in response to physical or other stresses or detect the presence of specific stimuli, such as light, heat, pressure, or hazardous chemical compounds. Although nascent, scientists and researchers in the field of Engineered Living Materials have made marked advances in demonstrating a potential to revolutionize a multitude of science and engineering disciplines. This volume will define the current state of the art of Engineered Living Materials, and highlight grand opportunities and challenges that abound at the nexus of synthetic biology and materials science and engineering.

According to the author, Islam has hidden behind a fa ade of goodness for too long. The time has come to look behind that fa ade and view the malignity at the core of Islam.