Biomachining: Microbial innovation for sustainable material removal

Biomachining is a non-traditional, innovative method of material removal where microorganisms and the culture medium in which they are produced are used to remove materials, especially metals. This process provides a sustainable approach when compared to physical and chemical machining by reducing the consumption of energy, as well as reducing toxic waste. They help in material removal with low energy density. This has widened the use of biomachining not only to metals but also to biodegradable materials. A review of the recent works in biomachining is presented here. The promising applications of biomachining in micro- and nano-device manufacturing are elaborated here based on the different microorganisms involved. Also, the key advantages of biomachining, its challenges, and prospects are discussed here. This provides significant potential for sustainable precision manufacturing applications in future, as it offers environmentally friendly and low-energy alternatives compared to existing machining techniques.