concrete

New ‘sensing skin’ could save roads and structures with early damage detection

By Stephanie Liverani / October 11, 2016

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new “sensing skin” that can “detect cracks and other structural flaws that are invisible to the naked eye,” according to an NC State press release.

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3-D printing, clean energy, and next-gen electronics: Three materials scale-up trends to watch on National Manufacturing Day

By Stephanie Liverani / October 7, 2016

Every first Friday of October, manufacturing companies and organizations join the movement to raise awareness about U.S. manufacturing. From 3-D printing to solar to next-gen electronics, check out some of the materials manufacturing buzz we’ve been following this year.

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Crystals are key when it comes to reducing cement’s carbon footprint

By Stephanie Liverani / October 4, 2016

Rice University researchers delved deeper into concrete’s inner workings to detail previously unexplored aspects that affect the energy required to manufacture the ubiquitous material and that could slash emissions.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / September 28, 2016

Hairy nanorods have diverse applications, merging solar with liquid batteries, and other materials stories that may be of interest for September 28, 2016.

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Breaking the mold: Bendable concrete defies conventional standards of durability and strength

By Stephanie Liverani / August 26, 2016

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore are taking a new approach to uncovering the formula for better concrete and invented a new type of concrete that can bend under pressure.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / August 10, 2016

Carbon nanotubes stitch together composites, Olympians suit up in high-tech apparel, and other materials stories that may be of interest for August 10, 2016.

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Into the void: Random gaps and particles work together to play key role in concrete’s strength

By Stephanie Liverani / August 9, 2016

Rice University researchers (Houston, Texas) want to know what makes concrete stronger and tougher. And after analyzing more than 600 computer models of concrete’s inner matrix, they determined that both voids and particles are key players in giving the material its remarkable qualities.

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‘Green’ living concrete supports photosynthesis, breathes carbon dioxide

By April Gocha / June 16, 2016

Researchers from BarcelonaTech in Spain are working to perfect living concrete—a layered formulation that allows photosynthetic organisms, such as mosses, lichens, and other microorganisms, to grow within the material itself.

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Researchers look to nature for solutions to ‘greener,’ more sustainable concrete production

By Stephanie Liverani / June 3, 2016

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working to identify materials in nature that may be used as inspiration for a sustainable, longer-lasting recipe for cement production.

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Integrated Roadways’ smart concrete is helping build smarter, safer, and connected roads

By April Gocha / May 13, 2016

Integrated Roadways (Kansas City, Mo.) is a company with big plans for an uber-connected world—the company is pioneering its namesake to build a world literally and figuratively connected by a mobile Internet of Things.

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