Collaborate Disseminate
Concrete may not seem like a particularly hospitable environment for life, but bacteria do actually live inside it. A new study led by the University of Delaware has examined this concrete microbiome to find out how they get there, how they change over… Continue reading Concrete microbiome could act as early warning system for collapse
Heating and cooling systems are some of the biggest energy guzzlers in use, so passive temperature control could be a good way to reduce emissions. Phase-change materials (PCMs) show promise for this, and now engineers at Texas A&M have developed a new… Continue reading 3D-printable phase-change materials insulate buildings better at scale
Concrete is the most commonly used building material in the world, but unfortunately the cement used to make it carries quite a carbon footprint. Now, scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a cement-free alternative that directly bonds sand… Continue reading Cement-free concrete recipe bonds sand using alcohol
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new process to convert old tires into graphene, which can then be used to make concrete. Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but the team says the resulting concrete is substantially stronger.Co… Continue reading Graphene made from old tires helps strengthen concrete
Concrete is one of the world’s most commonly used materials, and unfortunately its production is a major source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Now, engineers at Purdue University have developed a new cement recipe that can absorb CO2 twice as fas… Continue reading New concrete recipe improves its carbon capture efficiency
Boring old bricks might not seem like something that can really be made high-tech, but researchers keep proving us wrong. Now, a team has found a way to turn bricks into energy storage devices, using them to power a green LED in a proof of concept stud… Continue reading Smart bricks store energy in the walls themselves
Even the smallest of deformations in structures such as buildings or bridges can lead to cracks or other failures, so the sooner that they’re noticed, the better. A new laser-based system is designed to do just that, quicker and cheaper than ever befor… Continue reading Laser system designed to keep an eye on bendy buildings
Concrete is the world’s most widely-used building material thanks to its incredible strength – but it doesn’t stand up well against bending. Now, researchers at Swinburne University have developed a new type of concrete that can not only bend better, b… Continue reading Bendable concrete goes cement-free to cut environmental footprint
The Australian National Maritime Museum has installed the country’s largest lightweight solar panel roof on its Wharf 7, Heritage Centre. By using flexible, glass-free solar panels from SunMan Energy, buildings which previously were considere… Continue reading Light, flexible panel burns the rule book on where PV can be installed
When the hell did building a house become so complicated? Don’t let the folks on HGTV fool you. The process of building a home nowadays is incredibly painful. Just applying for the necessary permits can be a soul-crushing undertaking that’ll have you running around the city, filling out useless forms, and waiting in motionless lines […] Continue reading Why you need a supercomputer to build a house