Articles tagged with Construction Materials
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an autonomous excavator called HEAP to construct a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The excavator uses sensors, machine vision, and algorithms to place stones in the desired location, achieving a high level of precision and speed.
The Army Research Laboratory has chosen Texas A&M University for its High-Throughput Materials Discovery for Extreme Environments Center (HTMDEC). The center aims to develop novel materials for extreme conditions, reducing experimentation costs and duration. By leveraging machine learning, physics-based simulations, and collaboration, ...
Cyanobacteria can solidify inorganic materials like CO2, making them valuable for sustainable construction. Researchers developed an additive co-fabrication manufacturing process using bacterial strains and robotics.
Researchers create a composite called 'mycocrete' that combines the root network of fungi with a knitted textile framework to produce lightweight, eco-friendly construction materials. The mycocrete samples proved to be stronger than conventional mycelium composites and outperformed them in terms of shape and form.
An Aston University researcher has overturned a fundamental principle in construction by showing that a hanging chain and an arch are incompatible mechanical systems. This finding highlights the limitations of traditional analogies used to design and assess curved structures.
Researchers comprehensively reviewed recent discoveries in 2D material mechanics, highlighting elastic properties, failure, and interfacial behaviors. Computational advancements are crucial for understanding dynamic behaviors and practical applications.
Researchers used computational modeling to identify ultrastable MOF structures, which could be useful for gas storage and catalysis. The study found that about 10,000 of the predicted structures were stable enough for these applications, with high deliverable capacities for methane.
Designing low-carbon multi-storey buildings requires focusing on efficient shapes, structural frames, limited window sizes, and ventilation with heat recovery. The study found that these elements can save up to six gigatonnes of carbon by 2050 and reduce annual heating and cooling costs by 28-44%.
The study reveals that phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release large amounts of energy, providing a cooling effect in winter and a warming effect in summer. In colder climates, the energy payback period of using PCMs is the shortest, with annual energy savings ranging from 0.24 to 29.84 kWh/m2a.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have designed a temperature-sensing building material that changes its infrared color to absorb or emit heat based on outside temperatures. This innovation aims to reduce building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential step towards a more sustainable future.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a unique 3D COF with scu-c topology, exhibiting efficient gas adsorption and drug delivery capabilities. The material has been shown to exhibit excellent hydrogen and methane adsorption properties.
A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports reveals that social media engagement with climate policy events can increase the focus of the building sector on environmental justice. The researchers found a strong environmental justice discourse among public concerns, which can foster positive sentiments and inspire innovative emis...
Researchers developed an intelligent compaction technology that integrates into a road roller, assessing real-time the quality of road base compaction. This improves road construction, reducing potholes and maintenance costs, leading to safer and more resilient roads.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new kind of wood-based degradable plastic with semi-structural strength, enabling the replacement of fossil-based materials in home construction and furnishing. The material can be broken down without harming the environment, allowing for recycling and reuse of fibers.
Researchers at UCF's COSMOS Lab developed a method to create strong bricks from lunar regolith using 3D printing and binder jet technology. The bricks can withstand extreme space environments and are suitable for constructing off-world structures, paving the way for sustainable space construction.
Researchers developed sustainable concrete by replacing synthetic reinforcement with natural fibres and industrial by-products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. The new material exhibits superior strength and lower water absorption compared to traditional concrete.
Researchers have developed a technology using flying robots that mimic the collective building methods of bees and wasps to construct and repair large structures. The Aerial Additive Manufacturing system consists of drones that work autonomously but are monitored by human controllers, adapting their techniques as needed.
Researchers at RMIT University developed a method to recycle disposable PPE into stronger concrete, increasing strength by up to 22% and improving resistance to cracking. The study aims to create a circular economy approach for healthcare waste, reducing landfill waste and creating valuable resources.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed an invisible coating that can 'fireproof' wood by forming a char that expands to prevent combustion. This technology has the potential to reduce costs and improve fire resistance, making it an attractive solution for the construction industry.
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have successfully engineered a material that can conduct electricity with zero resistance, paving the way for revolutionary technologies. The breakthrough uses DNA to guide chemical reactions, overcoming a long-standing challenge in materials science.
A new study concludes that net zero carbon emissions in the concrete industry need both supply-side and demand-side strategies. Changes in purchasing habits and infrastructure design can reduce concrete consumption, promoting recycling, reuse, and material efficiency.
Researchers have developed microsupercapacitors that can be integrated onto stone tiles, enabling high-performance and customizable power from natural building materials. The devices maintain a high energy storage capacity even after multiple charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Scientists developed a novel multilayer coating to improve the longevity of steel, increasing its lifespan by up to 400 hours. The coating, comprising three layers, was found to provide higher resistance to rust than conventional Zn coatings.
A new study explores the characteristics of 36 basic variants of the Holliday junction, a fundamental building block used in DNA nanoforms. The results show that sequences forming the four protruding arms of the junction can enhance or hinder crystallization processes.
Researchers developed a method to improve the dynamic behavior of bolted connections by pasting a thin GFRP plate, increasing bearing strength and reducing fracture behavior. The study aims to create safer, more secure and lighter building structures with longer lifespans.
Using denitrifying bacteria in recycled coarse aggregate concrete increases its strength and durability, reducing water absorption by 33% and improving compressive strength by 30.3%. The novel method offers an environmentally friendly solution to enhance freeze-thaw resistance.
By pairing two waveguides, one with an ill-defined topology and another with a well-defined one, researchers created a topological singularity that can halt waves in their tracks. This phenomenon has potential applications in energy harvesting and enhancing nonlinear effects.
Researchers have designed a lightweight wood-based foam that reflects sunlight, emits absorbed heat, and is thermally insulating. The material could reduce buildings' cooling energy needs by an average of 35.4% depending on weather conditions, making it a promising solution for hot climates.
Researchers developed a strong, water-resistant wood glue using glucose and citric acid for plywood. The adhesive meets China's standard requirement and is more energy-efficient than traditional adhesives.
Researchers have discovered layered 2D materials that can host unique magnetic features, including skyrmions, which remain stable at room temperature. The discovery could lead to novel low-energy data storage and information processing systems.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg create a new shape-stabilized phase change material that can absorb significantly more heat and is made of harmless substances. The material, which can be used as large panels integrated into walls, can store up to 24 times more heat than conventional concrete or wallboard.
Researchers have developed a new type of coating that can limit the flammability of wood used in construction, potentially providing more time to escape fires and curb their spread. The environmentally friendly flame retardant could also be used for other flammable materials.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have adapted a plastination technique to strengthen bamboo and reduce its degradation rate, making it more environmentally friendly. The innovation has the potential to significantly reduce non-degradable waste in industries such as construction and packaging.
A new research project aims to introduce low-carbon concrete elements with high resource utilisation by reusing entire concrete elements from existing buildings as load-bearing structures in new buildings. The entire value chain is represented in the project.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology develop a fast and reliable method to detect defects in concrete structures using laser-induced plasma shock waves. The technique analyzes vibration patterns to identify Rayleigh waves, which can reveal the presence of cracks.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
Researchers at TUM explore the use of living trees in architecture, using photogrammetry and skeleton extraction to design structures that adapt to tree growth. They demonstrate a pavilion with a roof structure optimized to follow the shape of supporting branches.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new material that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, with potential applications in car parts, cell phones, bridges, and other structures. The material, called polyaramide, self-assembles into sheets and has unique properties, including high elastic modulus and impermeability to gases.
The study analyzed mortar samples, revealing three construction phases: one during Pompey's time (55 BC), another under Augustus (19 BC), and a final stage during the early medieval period. The composition of the samples indicated different quarries were used for each phase.
New research introduces adaptable smart window design that can heat or cool a house. The film changes its properties to absorb sunlight in winter and reflect it in summer, reducing energy consumption by 20-34%.
A team of researchers found that the building blocks of Earth and Mars originated primarily from the inner Solar System, contradicting a popular theory. The study analyzed the isotopic composition of rocky planets and meteorites, revealing that only about 4% of the material came from beyond Jupiter's orbit.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
Researchers at MIT created a computational tool to minimize embodied carbon in truss structures by choosing between timber and steel. The analysis suggests that substituting materials or changing the structure can significantly reduce emissions, with potential savings of up to two times current levels.
Researchers designed a novel polymer to bind and strengthen silica sand for binder jet additive manufacturing, creating structures with intricate geometries and exceptional strength. The study demonstrates a 300-times-weight limit for a 3D-printed sand bridge.
Researchers at Duke University developed electrochromic technology that can alternate between harvesting heat from sunlight and allowing an object to cool. The device, which uses a thin layer of graphene and metal nanoparticles, demonstrates a tuning range of thermal radiation never seen before.
Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed innovative technologies in self-healing sealants, precision deicers and quantum-enabled grid security. These breakthroughs aim to improve construction materials, reduce waste in road maintenance and enhance power grid protection.
Researchers have developed a 3D-printed design that mimics the behavior of auxetic materials, used to absorb and distribute impact forces. The design, made from bioplastic, can potentially replace steel and fiber-reinforced polymer mesh reinforcements in composites.
Researchers from South Ural State University and China's Xi'an Jiaotong University have successfully welded A606 (Cor-Ten) steel, a promising material with high atmospheric corrosion resistance. The study optimized welding conditions to achieve high strength properties and necessary microstructure.
A 13-year-long study finds that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) coatings can sustain concrete structures for extended periods. The study tested FRP and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems under various environmental conditions, revealing significant impact on bond behavior.
Researchers discovered that volcanic aggregate and chemical interactions strengthen Caecilia Metella's tomb, exceeding male contemporaries' monuments. The study, published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, shows how leucite crystals dissolve over time to remodel concrete cohesion.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have achieved a new world record in materials research by using X-ray microscopy to create 1000 three-dimensional images per second. This allows for the non-destructive study of fast processes in materials, enabling researchers to gain insights into material properties and behavior.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a class of materials that can change their fundamental architecture, inspired by nature's metamorphosis. The metamorphosis system involves connecting kirigami units to create structures capable of bearing significant weight and transforming into different architectures.
Researchers developed a modular organic molecular system with customizable properties, creating a potent dye that absorbs light in the near-infrared range. The pigments' electronic switchability makes them suitable for studying electron transfer in photosynthesis and as efficient electron-transporting materials.
Researchers develop method to produce high-quality gypsum binders from synthetic calcium sulfate dihydrate, surpassing natural gypsum in several parameters. The new material can replace natural gypsum in countries without gypsum stone deposits, reducing production costs and simplifying technology.
A new model estimates annual energy use intensity of 209 structures in Pittsburgh with only a 7% error rate. The Urban Building Energy Model can aid policy makers in setting energy goals and efficiency regulations for commercial buildings.
Researchers at Texas A&M University created novel 3D printable phase-change material composites to regulate ambient temperatures in buildings. These composites can be added to building materials or 3D printed as decorative accents.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the unique defect properties of low-dimensional materials particularly Sb2S3, which shows advantages in less dangling bonds and reduced recombination of carriers. Sulphur-rich Sb2S3 films exhibited excellent performance with lower density of defects and improved photovoltaic performance.
A Chinese-Australia collaboration successfully induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) in TaS2 by intercalating iron atoms, which can be further tuned by gate-induced proton intercalation. This enables electrical control of chiral spin textures and potential applications in energy-efficient spintronic devices.