This super strong cement was created using principles learned from aquatic creatures like the sea urchin. Developed by physical chemists from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Konstanz, the new building material is significantly more resistant to fractures and much stronger than existing variations.
The extremely strong concrete is more than a hundred times more fracture-resistant than common concrete. Inspired by brittle sea urchin spines that feature soft disordered layers, the Germany-based team came up with a process "encoding fracture-resistance at the nano-level."
This scientific project led by Professor Helmut Colfen demonstrates the sort of opportunities emerging for the construction industry. Other examples of new types of building materials include concrete reinforced with tires and earthquake-resistant cementitious composite.
Urchin-Mimicking Cement
This Extra Strong Cement was Inspired by the Spines of Sea Urchins
Trend Themes
1. Fracture-resistant Building Materials - Opportunity to develop new building materials that are significantly more resistant to fractures than existing variations.
2. Biomimicry in Construction - Opportunity to incorporate principles learned from natural organisms into the design and production of construction materials.
3. Nano-level Encoding - Opportunity to apply nano-level encoding techniques to enhance the fracture-resistance and strength of building materials.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Opportunity for construction companies to adopt and incorporate the use of fracture-resistant building materials in their projects.
2. Materials Science - Opportunity for materials scientists to further explore biomimicry and develop innovative construction materials based on natural organisms.
3. Chemical Engineering - Opportunity for chemical engineers to apply nano-level encoding techniques to enhance the properties of building materials, such as fracture-resistance and strength.