K-BRIQ
Scottish company Kenoteq, a spin-off from Heriot-Watt University, has developed a new type of building brick: K-BRIQ. According to the developers, it’s the world’s first brick made almost entirely from recycled construction waste. K-BRIQ was recently certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).
Wooden hollow profiles
Hollow, tubular profiles are lightweight, material-efficient, and structurally stable, making them appealing for construction use. Until recently, focus has mainly been on metal and composite versions; wooden hollow profiles have been rare. That appears to be changing.
FlectoLine:
Adaptive facade responds to weather for efficient energy use The FlectoLine shading system allows buildings to actively respond to changing weather. It adjusts in real time to let in or block sunlight and heat, contributing to reduced energy consumption and greater indoor comfort.
“Urine”
Concrete’ Researchers from three institutes at the University of Stuttgart are developing a new type of construction material: bioconcrete, based on human urine. This is part of the SimBioZe project, which aims to create an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete. SimBioZe stands for Simultaneous Bio-Cement and Fertilizer Production from Wastewater.
Fiber composite from nature: living material made from fungi
Fungi are increasingly recognized as a promising source of biodegradable materials. Researchers at Swiss materials research institute Empa have developed a new material based on fungal mycelium and its extracellular matrix, giving the biomaterial unique and valuable properties
