A new seismic study of Singapore could guide urban growth and renewable energy development in the coastal city nation, where 5.6 million residents live within an area of 734 square kilometers. The study, published in Seismological Research Letters, identifies areas with increased risk of ground shaking and a possible reservoir for geothermal energy production, as well as a glimpse at Singapore’s tectonic history. Jiayuan Yao of China University for Geosciences and colleagues analyzed teleseismic data captured by a few permanent…
Design to withstand hurricanes isn’t enough to protect tall buildings and facade systems against the climate crisis Houston, we have a problem. The ‘Space City’ boasts 50 buildings over 150 meters tall. These were designed to withstand hurricanes, to which Texas is prone. But on May 16th, 2024, a derecho – a wide, long-lived windstorm associated with rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms – managed to cause unexpected damage to many of the tall buildings downtown. The socio-economic impact was significant, due…
Repairable and exchangeable skeleton modules with open load-bearing structures enable different types of use and uncomplicated adaptations in the event of future changes. Building heights of up to 24 storeys are possible. The operating life and life span of buildings are often far apart. If a property is no longer fit for purpose, it is usually demolished even though it would still be perfectly usable. Even in the event of damage to individual parts of the building, the entire building…
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon, demonstrating a new pathway to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. The innovative method, detailed in the scientific journal Carbon Capture Science & Technology, aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of cement – a material responsible for 1.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) or about eight per cent of global CO2 emissions – through lower material usage,…
A new type of wooden ceiling slab competes with traditional concrete slabs. As part of the EIC Pathfinder-funded research project “Universal Timber Slab”, scientists from the University of Stuttgart are developing digital planning and production methods for novel wooden ceiling slabs. These ceilings are intended to expand the use of timber construction in cities, compete with reinforced concrete slabs, and enhance sustainability in the construction sector. View a detailed simulation in a “UniversalTimberSlab”. Credit: ICD/MPA/ University of Stuttgart In city…
…through biogenic production using phototrophic microorganisms. The Fraunhofer Institute FEP in Dresden offers scalable research and development opportunities focused on technological innovations for resource conservation and climate neutrality. To meet the rising demand for climate-neutral building materials, new manufacturing processes are being explored. The institute researches electron beam-assisted processes to enhance biogenic limestone synthesis with phototrophic microorganisms, supporting the decarbonization of the cement industry. This aims to reduce the CO2 footprint of cement and gradually replace fossil limestone. The project…
Digital sensing-based monitoring system. Establishing a foundation for local technology commercialization in Vietnam. Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, President Kim Byung-Suk) developed a smart monitoring system that applies digital sensing technology to maintain and manage small- and medium-sized aging bridges. This study was conducted as an international matching joint research funded by KICT, and established a foundation for technology diffusion to ASEAN countries through joint research with University of Transport and Communications (UTC) in Vietnam. In general,…
Fraunhofer IBP Is Driving the Development of Climate-Friendly Construction Materials. Cutting carbon emissions by more than two-thirds with consistently high quality: Specialists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP are working on future ways to manufacture the popular construction material with as little climate impact as possible. They will be showcasing their solutions at the BAU trade show in Munich from January 13 to 17, 2025. What would perfect concrete be like? The researchers at Fraunhofer IBP are tackling…
Special exhibition by the Fraunhofer Building Innovation Alliance at the BAU 2025 trade fair in Munich. Under the motto “Mission for the future of building affordable.sustainable.safe”, from January 13 to 17, 2025, the Fraunhofer Building Innovation Alliance will be presenting innovations as part of its special exhibition at the BAU 2025 trade fair in three key areas of transformation in the construction industry: sustainability, productivity and resilience. The exhibits will be on display in and around a two-story Innovation Cube…
The interlocking bricks, which can be repurposed many times over, can withstand similar pressures as their concrete counterparts. What if construction materials could be put together and taken apart as easily as LEGO bricks? Such reconfigurable masonry would be disassembled at the end of a building’s lifetime and reassembled into a new structure, in a sustainable cycle that could supply generations of buildings using the same physical building blocks. That’s the idea behind circular construction, which aims to reuse and…
Fraunhofer researchers have developed a method of creating biogenic construction materials based on cyanobacteria. The bacteria multiply in a nutrient solution, driven by photosynthesis. When aggregates and fillers such as sand, basalt, or renewable raw materials are added, rock-like solid structures are produced. Unlike traditional concrete production, this process does not emit any carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the environment. Instead, the carbon dioxide is bound inside the material itself. The construction industry has a problem. Cement, the main…
An interdisciplinary team at TU Graz is revolutionising the design of sustainable buildings. The advantages and disadvantages of different construction measures are visualised in real time using VR simulation. Next-generation energy services are designed to help a building’s end users understand and visualise the benefits of new energy-efficient technologies or thermal refurbishment measures. This includes the control of heating and cooling, lighting and ventilation. In order to make this possible, Christina Hopfe, head of the Institute of Building Physics, Services…
Strategy dialogue “Affordable housing and innovative building”. How do you establish a building’s energy efficiency? An optical mobile mapping system that is being developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM is expected to provide comprehensive data that will form the basis for planning energy-efficient refurbishments. Its core element is a multispectral LiDAR sensor that measures the geometry of the building and the thermal properties of windows and façades. Generally, the renovation requirements of a building are determined…
The energy transition in Germany, Europe, and across the world is driving robust demand for solar panels. Alongside high energy yields, aesthetics and acceptance are also increasingly important factors. To accommodate these trends, a team of researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed an innovative solar facade element that can be incorporated into a building’s exterior practically invisibly and without any significant loss of efficiency. With the development of MorphoColor® coating technology, the experts have…
Researchers at KIT develop a transparent metamaterial for energy-efficient light and temperature regulation in buildings. Maximizing natural light in buildings is popular and can save on energy costs. However, traditional glass roofs and walls also present problems such as glare, lack of privacy, and overheating. Alternative solutions, such as coatings and light-diffusing materials, have not yet provided a comprehensive remedy. New Material Combines Multiple Functions Researchers at the Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) and the Light Technology Institute (LTI) at…
Wood, we come into close contact with it daily. Children play around on wood floors, and wood furniture plays an important role in our work and sleep habits as well. To keep this natural material from aging prematurely, it’s important to protect it against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. At the same time, people want to retain the look and feel of wooden surfaces, but the protective coatings that are currently available often contain harmful chemical compounds. To avoid using these substances,…
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