concrete

Centimeters-thick concrete roof uses steel cables and fabric layer to support unique structures

By April Gocha / October 17, 2017

ETH Zurich researchers have used computational modeling to design an ultrathin concrete roof for that optimizes strength while eliminating extra material and weight.

Read More

Paraffin offers superior solution to road salt for melting snow, ice

By Faye Oney / September 26, 2017

Salt has long been used on roads and sidewalks to melt snow and ice, but it can destroy vehicles and the environment over time. Researchers have developed a method for melting snow and ice using paraffin, which is less expensive and environmentally-friendly.

Read More

High-tech methods confirm Pliny the Elder’s observations and reveal new insights into strength of Roman concrete

By April Gocha / July 31, 2017

An international group of scientists recently found that the key to the strength of ancient Roman concrete is the presence of aluminous tobermorite, a mineral that slowly forms within voids and prevents cracks from traversing through the concrete.

Read More

Video: Concrete reinforced with recycled tire fibers has enhanced performance, reduced environmental impact

By April Gocha / June 28, 2017

Scientists at the University of British Colombia (Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada) have a new strategy that just might be going somewhere—they’ve devised a technique to incorporate recycled rubber tire fibers into concrete to reuse the waste material, improve the durability of concrete, and reduced the carbon footprint of the concrete industry.

Read More
Hendrik Jonkers

Video: ‘Bioconcrete’ of the future can heal itself

By Faye Oney / May 24, 2017

Inspired by the way the human body repairs bones and tissue, a researcher duo from Delft University of Technology has created self-repairing “bioconcrete” using bacteria and calcium lactate.

Read More

Arched design allows concrete floors to go thinner and lighter, offers green building solution

By April Gocha / May 16, 2017

Researchers at ETH Zürich have developed a new modular and thin concrete flooring system that weighs 70% less than conventional concrete floors and could offer a greener building solution.

Read More

Video: 3-D-printed dreams—Additive manufacturing creates custom concrete castle

By April Gocha / December 21, 2016

Minnesota-based company Total Kustom has built a 3-D printer that can custom-print concrete into whole houses—even castles.

Read More

Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / November 30, 2016

Supersonic spray yields new nanomaterials, tiny squeeze boosts performance of fuel cell catalysts, and other materials stories that may be of interest for November 30, 2016.

Read More

Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / November 23, 2016

Smashing metallic micro-cubes makes them ultrastrong, glow-in-the-dark dye could fuel liquid-based batteries, and other materials stories that may be of interest for November 23, 2016.

Read More

Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / November 9, 2016

Graphene cracks glass corrosion, spacecraft nuclear batteries get a boost from new materials, and other materials stories that may be of interest for November 9, 2016.

Read More