
In the last few years, several new applications in the world of 3D printing have emerged. The 3D printing industry has now discovered a way to construct buildings. Potential advantages of this process include quicker construction, lower labor costs, and less waste produced.
Click here to read an article on the world’s first 3D printed apartment building in China.
Click here to read an article on a 3D printing machine that can build a 2,500-square-foot concrete house in just 24 hours.
2) Graphene
Graphene, a substance made of pure carbon, has been called a “miracle material” because it’s thin, strong, flexible, conducts electricity, and its nearly transparent.
Some are calling the Graphene ‘the new steel’ of the future. Graphene is a one-atom thick layer of carbon that is said to be lighter than a feather, more conductive than copper, and stronger than steel. It is thin, strong, flexible, conducts electricity, and is virtually transparent.
It’s potential uses in construction include LEDs, impermeable paint, corrosion-proof steel, interactive panels, spray on solar-panels, and self cleaning concrete.
Source:http://www.construction-manager.co.uk/on-site/graphene-six-applications-industry-536/
When it comes to building materials, the great downfall of concrete is unavoidable cracking, caused by exposure to water and chemicals.
A new development from a team in the Netherlands could extend the life of concrete, with bacterial spores that fill cracks completely when water seeps through. Click here to learn more.
Source:http://architizer.com/blog/material-trends-for-2014-and-beyond/
The material made up of tiny cones not only repels water, it can stand up to extreme changes in temperature, pressure, and humidity. The water droplets bounce off, carrying dirt with them, making the material antibacterial.
These surfaces not only don’t get wet, but would stay cleaner since the water droplets carry dirt with them as they roll off. The material would be useful for preventing ice or algae build-up or even as an antibacterial coating.
Source: http://www.wcoes.org/2014_04_01_archive.html