Designing for Durability in a Microbial World

This white paper introduces the concept of “biological wear and tear” as a previously overlooked factor in material durability. It explores how microorganisms interact with surfaces through adhesion, biofilm formation, and metabolic activity, contributing to degradation processes such as hydrolysis, oxidation, odour development, and loss of material performance. The paper proposes a new framework for understanding biologically mediated material degradation and highlights the importance of designing materials that can withstand microbial exposure to improve longevity, sustainability, and real-world performance.