From translucent wood to self-healing concrete, new materials are constantly emerging in the construction industry. These innovative materials can improve the quality of your build and make your building more sustainable.
MIT engineers have created Hempcrete, an eco-friendly building material made from hemp rebar. This material is stronger, lighter and more flexible than traditional concrete.
Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastics made from renewable sources rather than fossil materials like petroleum. They offer many of the same properties as traditional plastics, but are more sustainable because they use a plant-based feedstock. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use of fossil fuels, while also reducing the amount of land needed for production.
Currently, there are a wide variety of bioplastics on the market. They are often labelled to indicate whether they are bio-based, biodegradable and/or compostable (see image).
The prefix ‘bio’ can mean several things: the monomers were sourced from renewable biomass; it was biodegradable in a certain environment at some stage of its life cycle; the polymer was produced through biological processes or a combination of these. Fossil-derived degradable plastics can be labelled as bioplastics, but it is not recommended to do so because they need a comprehensive life cycle assessment to evaluate their environmental impact.
Bioplastics are used to make many different products, including yard and kitchen bags, food service disposables and various types of packaging. Some are even able to be fully composted, as in the case of PBPC member GreenDot’s biodegradable cell phone cases. They are also being incorporated into electronics to keep them lightweight and durable. Unfortunately, bioplastics can still produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases when they are sourced from plants, but the use of renewable resources and lower energy costs makes them more environmentally friendly than fossil-based polymers.
3D Printing
3D printing is a modern technology that has revolutionized almost every industry. It involves layer-by-layer fabrication of physical models using a variety of materials and can be used for polymers, ceramics, metals, and even glass. It is also a cost-efficient process because it eliminates many steps from traditional manufacturing and is much faster. However, it is a concern that it could result in the loss of jobs, especially for countries that rely on a significant number of low-skilled workers in the manufacturing sector.
The most popular method of 3D printing is referred to as Fused Deposition Modeling, which uses an extruder that lays down layers of material and is capable of creating complex shapes. Other methods include stereolithography and selective laser sintering. The most recent advancements of the 3D printing technology involve the use of flexible filaments, which can print electronics such as batteries and circuits. It can even print steel, brass and bronze to create metal objects with a realistic look.
In the building construction industry, 3D printing is gaining popularity at warp speed. It can print concrete structures that are lighter and more efficient than their traditional counterparts. It also reduces waste and allows for customized designs. Furthermore, it simplifies supply chains by eliminating the need for a multitude of materials. For example, a typical wall with a wood frame has multiple layers of materials such as drywall, screws, tape and mud. Those walls that are printed with 3D cement can produce 60% less carbon emissions than those that still use traditional cement.
Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon isn’t exactly a new material. It’s found in everything from pencils to diamonds, but carbon nanotubes take this ancient substance to a whole new level. These hollow tubes made of rolled-up graphene sheets can be less than one nanometer in diameter and up to several microns long. They are incredibly strong, light and flexible.
Carbon nanotubes are also electrical conductors, and they can be functionalized to have different properties. These multifunctional characteristics promise a host of futuristic applications, including radiation/EMI shielding, damping, electrostatic discharge mitigation and more.
These structures can also act as a form of solar cell. When incorporated into plastics, they can make these materials semi-conductive and help them better absorb solar energy. They can also be used in 3D printing, as they can add conductivity to composites without adding too much weight.
Another promising use of carbon nanotubes is in medical technology. They have the potential to improve X-ray machines, digital cameras and other technology by making them more powerful, smaller and lighter. Additionally, their conductive properties could enable doctors to perform non-invasive biopsies and detect cancers more quickly and accurately.
Currently, there are only a few ways to produce carbon nanotubes in large quantities and at a reasonable cost. The process requires a catalyst and a source of carbon. They can be produced using arc discharge or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), both of which require expensive equipment.
Self-Healing Concrete
Concrete has long been a staple of the construction industry but it is susceptible to cracking and damage over time. Scientists have developed self-healing concrete that can automatically repair itself, reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Self-healing concrete works by using bacteria to seal cracks in the structure. These bacteria lie dormant until a crack forms, at which point they are activated by water and start producing limestone to fill the crack. This process helps to strengthen the concrete and restore its original strength, preventing further damage to the building.
This innovative material is a great choice for construction projects that require both strength and lightness. Carbon nanotubes are incredibly strong with a tensile strength up to 100 times greater than steel, making them perfect for load-bearing structures. However, they are also surprisingly lightweight, allowing architects to experiment with new futuristic designs without sacrificing structural integrity.
Self-healing concrete is just one example of the many new materials that are helping to revolutionize the construction industry. From translucent wood to bricks that absorb pollution, these new materials are helping to make buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient. With their help, the future of construction looks brighter than ever before.