The concrete and cement sector has been trying to reduce its environmental impact for years through sustainable concrete mixtures or efficient designs.

Now, a research team at the University of Pennsylvania has combined both novel materials and a material-saving design, without compromising on strength and durability.

The project, called Diamanti, takes inspiration from nature and uses a robotic 3D printer to create complex, lattice-like patterns with a sustainable concrete mixture.

While most regular concrete absorbs carbon dioxide (up to 30% of its production emissions over its entire life cycle, according to some research), Diamanti’s enhanced concrete mixture absorbs 142% more carbon dioxide than conventional concrete mixes.

Its first design, a pedestrian bridge, uses 60% less material while retaining mechanical strength, says Masoud Akbarzadeh, an associate professor of architecture at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the lab that spearheaded the project.

  • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOP
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    11 days ago

    Thank you for the reasoned response. I’ve been blindsided by the reaction, given that it’s just part of what I say.

    But I do want to say that you’re making a blanket statement. Go to a rave, a punk show or a BDSM event, and this is standard terminology. Like, I’m part of the counter-culture, and part of what we intentionally do is piss people off.

    It’s not to be exclusionary; rather, it’s to point out that one view is not all views. What’s saddening is that the reaction is “but you should have a different lens.” This is where I take issue.

    This said, if “chick” is the problem we face as a country, thank god we have universal healthcare, poverty has been erased, and cancer has been cured.