Engineered Materials
High-tech Concrete
High-performance or ultra-high-performance concrete is up to 10 times stronger than regular concrete. Though it costs several times as much as regular concrete, price comparisons are misleading because high-tech versions have different properties that make them more comparable to materials such as stainless steel or aluminum (which are often more expensive).
The latest concretes also set much faster, allowing greater flexibility to use the material's long-lasting, thermal and acoustic properties in everything from pedestrian bridges to bus stations — and, in turn, contributing to big energy and other environmental savings.
The Hypergreen Tower Concept, conceived by Jacques Ferrier, uses Agilia®, Ductal®, high-tech concrete developed by Lafarge.
The latest concretes also set much faster, allowing greater flexibility to use the material's long-lasting, thermal and acoustic properties in everything from pedestrian bridges to bus stations — and, in turn, contributing to big energy and other environmental savings.
The Hypergreen Tower Concept, conceived by Jacques Ferrier, uses Agilia®, Ductal®, high-tech concrete developed by Lafarge.
Time Magazine mentioned another example: white concrete used by American architect Richard Meier for the Jubilee Church in Rome. It contains titanium dioxide which keeps the concrete clean at the same time as destroying ambient pollutants such as car exhaust.
Seashell-Polystyrene Mix
Ben Coxworth for Gizmag introduces this seashell polymer as a potential building resource; scientists have replicated their unique structure in a manmade material. Taking inspiration from shells, researchers reinforced chalk with polystyrene particles such as those used in disposable drinking cups. Their achievement could lead to stronger building and bone replacement materials, or other practical applications.
By combining calcite crystals with polystyrene particles, the scientists created a ceramic polymer that is less brittle than chalk, and thus less prone to cracking.
When the material did crack, they noticed that the polymer lengthened within the cracks, instead of simply snapping – this is a known mechanism for absorbing energy and enhancing durability. By selecting particles of different shapes, sizes and composition, the scientists said the properties of the material could be tweaked for different purposes.
By combining calcite crystals with polystyrene particles, the scientists created a ceramic polymer that is less brittle than chalk, and thus less prone to cracking.
When the material did crack, they noticed that the polymer lengthened within the cracks, instead of simply snapping – this is a known mechanism for absorbing energy and enhancing durability. By selecting particles of different shapes, sizes and composition, the scientists said the properties of the material could be tweaked for different purposes.