The construction industry is constantly evolving, and new materials are being developed all the time. Some materials are so innovative that they’re revolutionising the way that builders approach large projects.
It’s important to learn about the different materials so you’ll better understand how to make use of these technological innovations. Read on to learn about some of the most impressive materials you should be aware of.
Microbial Cellulose
Sustainable materials are such an essential part of the building industry in modern times. Microbial cellulose has been developed using renewable resources such as bacteria, yeast, and microorganisms to create layered structures.
The practical use of this material involves building facades and signage. Since this material biodegrades, it’s a great option when looking for eco-friendly building materials, and it’s affordable.
Transparent Wood
Transparent wood is incredibly useful because it’s strong like lumber, but it’s substantially lighter. Many builders use this material in lieu of glass or plastic.
Thin strips of treated wood can be made transparent by replacing lignin with polymers. Using transparent wood instead of glass can help keep power usage low because the material has especially high optical transmittance.
Self-Healing Concrete
Seal-healing concrete is among the most interesting building materials on the list. This material takes inspiration from natural wound healing.
Special adhesive liquids are added to the concrete mix, and these are capable of healing the concrete when it gets cracked. Although self-healing concrete is still being researched, it’s an exciting development since it could substantially boost the lifespan of concrete while lowering repair costs.
Hydro Ceramics
Hydro ceramics is an emerging technology that is sometimes referred to as “smart walls.” Using this tech, walls can be created that are capable of reacting to temperatures.
These walls have a cooling function that allows them to absorb water to lower the temperature in a building while raising the humidity. Hydrogels and clay are used to make these walls, and it’s a great option for making buildings in areas that are dry and hot.
Artificial Spider Silk
Artificial spider silk is another material that’s catching the eyes of many in the building industry. Hydrogel can be used to develop this material that’s designed to mimic spider silk, and it’s astoundingly durable.
Currently, this material is being used to make acoustic building tiles, but it could have other applications in the future. It’s hundreds of times more durable than standard concrete and shows great promise.
Pollution-Absorbing Bricks
It’s no secret that pollution is a global problem, and coming up with solutions to deal with it will be increasingly necessary. That’s why this building material shows such promise.
Pollution-absorbing bricks can filter air from the outside, and the airflow is directed to a system that deals with the pollutants. It’s a much more affordable way to deal with pollution issues than using standard filtration systems, and you can reduce energy usage.
Nanoparticles
While nanotechnology is something you might be familiar with if you’re a fan of Sci-Fi, it’s starting to be used for practical purposes in the building industry. Nanoparticles can be used to create structural materials in a less wasteful way.
It makes it possible to use fewer natural materials to make structural materials while improving the result. Often, nanoparticles will be used to make carbon nanotubes or nano-titanium that will be added to cement to create the strongest possible concrete.
Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete
Bamboo-reinforced concrete has a lot in common with rebar steel. It has been used in construction for a long time, but it’s now being used in more innovative ways to make construction projects more sustainable.
The tensile properties of bamboo make it a great choice for many projects, but the bamboo might need to be treated to avoid issues with swelling. Natural resins can be combined with plant fibres to create a versatile material that’s superior to bamboo in its natural state.
Power-Generating Glass
In the building industry, it’s always important to look for ways that businesses can save on construction costs. Power-generating glass is an innovative idea that can help to lower energy costs while mitigating pollution issues.
The basic idea behind this technology involves converting invisible light wavelengths to energy. It’s a fantastic new technology that adds aesthetic appeal to buildings while offering practical cost-saving solutions.
Cigarette Butt Bricks
It’s always good to think about ways to use waste products to create useful things. Cigarette butts are a great material to use during brick production.
It can help to save money while producing bricks, and the results are better than you might expect. Bricks produced using this method are light and have great insulation properties that can help to keep home heating and cooling costs low.
Allusion Panels
Allusion panels are seeing a lot of use in the building industry. These panels are a type of cladding that’s created using stabilised aluminium foam.
This building material has many positive properties such as sound-dampening qualities and fire resistance. It’s common to use these panels to make facades, ceilings, wall panels, flooring, and more.
Aerographite
Aerographite is a bendable material that’s amazingly strong, and it’s capable of absorbing light rays. One of the best aspects of using this material is that it can deal with significant vibrations without being harmed. It makes it a perfect choice when making purification systems for buildings, and it’s also commonly used in satellites.
Carbon Fibre Balsa
Balsa wood is a construction material that you’re surely familiar with, but it’s pricey. Carbon fibre balsa is a modern innovation that involves infusing carbon fibre into balsa wood.
You get the same strength that you’d expect, and the material is lightweight. It’s also possible to get the level of stiffness that you require for the job so it can be better to use this material when you have specific requirements.
Martian Concrete
There’s a lot of talk about different space programs targeting Mars, and being able to build structures on the red planet will prove to be a challenge. Martian concrete is specially designed as a practical building material on Mars.
Since the surface of the planet contains a lot of sulphur, researchers have determined how to manufacture concrete by heating it and combining it with soil. This concrete sets fast and should be extremely easy to use even in the harsh environments found on Mars.
