Living Materials Laboratory:
Project
Project:
Process-Structure-Property Relationships of 3D Printed Earth Materials and Structures
Current Challenge
Traditional cementitious materials processes are inextricably intertwined with transportation, chemical treatments, excess manufacturing, warehouse storage, and intermediary storages.
Research Goal
Earthen materials are an emerging, sustainable alternative to cementitious materials because of their low embodied carbon, affordability, safety, and thermal characteristics. By using minimally processed materials and sourcing raw materials from construction sites, 3D-printed earth structures could substantially reduce the various costs of current cementitious materials. Using a range of bacterial and biopolymer binding agents, as well as bio-based fibers and nano-fibers reinforcing additives, this project will characterize printable mixtures of earth- and bio-based building materials and modernized versions of ancient technologies as a critical step for climate-friendly digital manufacturing of the built environment.
Sponsor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Future Manufacturing (FMRG)