7 construction materials that will revolutionize the sector

In addition to the boom in technical modeling, drones and modular construction, there are more and more innovative construction materials that promise to revolutionize the construction sector. Discover some examples in this article!

1. Bioconcrete

This construction material is a solution created bymicrobiologist Hendrik Jonkers, from the University of Delft, in the Netherlands. O seu objetivo era aumentar a estabilidade e durabilidade das estruturas, por meio de uma abordagem inovadora que consistia em adicionar bactérias produtoras de calcário à mistura do betão. When cracks appear in concrete, bacteria take over the calcium and convert it into lime, filling them and preventing their spread.

2. Transparent Concrete

Everyone knows the gray and rough appearance of traditional concrete, but do you know LiTraCon (litracon) or translucent concrete? This new type of concrete has a very attractive appearance, as it allows light to enter, without compromising the basic characteristics of the material. It is an invention by the Hungarian architectAron Loskonsiwho, determined to improve the external appearance of the material, conducted a series of experiments. He ended up adding optical fiber to the traditional composition of concrete, resulting in a material that is equally resistant, but more appealing from an aesthetic and visual point of view.

3. Quartz vinyl flooring

Quartz vinyl flooring is a coating with a multi-layer structure, dominated by quartz sand. Due to its composition and structure, this material has exceptional characteristics. Due to the addition of plasticizers, quartz vinyl is fire and water resistant and is also very flexible.

4. Isoplaat

Isoplaat is a natural thermal insulation material, invented in Estonia, bySkano Fiberboard. It is a material made from wood fibers from plants belonging to the gymnosperm group that were first vaporized in hot water and then pressed into plates. The plates are treated with paraffin to resist moisture. This material can be used for thermal insulation of roofs, floors and walls. Its fibrous structure is also fireproof and resistant to a wide range of pests, including molds and fungi.

5. Luminous cement

Cement capable of radiating light? Why not? In response to new construction models,José Carlos Rubio Ávalos, from the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), developed a material capable of absorbing and radiating light energy. This innovation is harmless to the environment and humans, and can even significantly reduce the cost of lighting installations on highways and public roads. Thanks to their high resistance to UV radiation, the composites do not decompose in the sun and can radiate light for up to 12 hours at night.

6. Translucent Wood

This is not just any wood. According to theScienceDaily, transparent wood is superior to glass in terms of thermal insulation performance. It is a transparent material created by researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Since this material is impregnated with polyethylene glycol, it absorbs heat and cools the interior. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of transparent wood allow it to withstand high loads, making it a promising construction material. It is also much more environmentally friendly than plastic, concrete and glass. Both wood and polyethylene glycol are biodegradable, so end-of-life wood panels will be easy to dispose of. Currently, wood panels are produced that are larger, thicker and more transparent than ever before and are used, above all, for the construction of greenhouses.

7. Solar tiles

Companies like SolteQ or Tesla are now beginning to study the possibility of mass-producing energy-generating tiles on a large scale. These not only serve their main purpose reliably, they can also become part of the design. According to manufacturers, solar tiles are very simple systems to install and maintain, generating up to 36% more energy than conventional solar panels. Additionally, there are a variety of options available, in different colors and styles.

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