Sustainability is now a permanent fixture on the executive agenda for governments and businesses alike. Like many other industries, the construction industry has come under scrutiny for its massive carbon footprint. The construction industry contributes to 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions. With the push from every industry to be more sustainable, the construction industry must do more to adapt to the changing climate. Sustainability is now a permanent fixture on the executive agenda for governments and businesses alike. Like many other industries, the construction industry has come under scrutiny for its massive carbon footprint. With the push from every industry to be more sustainable, the construction industry must do more to adapt to the changing climate. This is where graphene comes in.
Graphene is a relatively new material that was first isolated by Russian scientists in 2004 at the University of Manchester, UK, who subsequently won a Nobel prize for their efforts. This development is how isolating graphene has paved the way for technological advancement.Graphene is a single-layer sheet of carbon that has been isolated from graphite. Despite being only one atom thick (~0.3 nanometres) thick, it is found to be 200 times stronger than steel by weight. Aside from its impressive strength it also has high electrical and thermal conductivity and is water-resistant.
Versarien just unveiled the world’s first 3D printed construction using graphene-enhanced cement
Graphene Flagship partner Versarien, UK, has announced the launch of its 3D-printed lifestyle pods, designed with sustainability and innovation at the core. Versarien specialises in advanced engineering materials, and provides graphene-enhanced concrete, trademarked as Cementene™.
This milestone project, dubbed “Versarien Lunar”, is the world’s first 3D-printed product with graphene-enhanced cement. It’s a versatile garden space that can be used as an office, studio, gym or leisure room. Its unique wall design shows the level of detail, flexibility and precision that can be achieved with 3D-concrete printing.
This launch comes at a time where sustainability in construction has become paramount. The industry accounts for around 8% of global CO2 emissions, which means it would rank third for emissions in the world if it were a country, overtaken only by the US and China. Incorporating graphene into concrete allows engineers and architects to design structures that use fewer materials, while maintaining the same structural performance as ordinary concrete. This could result in faster completion of buildings, reducing costs and the carbon footprint.
3D printed, graphene-enhanced concrete could build pods for those less fortunate, whilst creating a circular economy for houses, giving individuals in more developed countries the opportunity to chop and change and ‘lift and shift’ their homes. With graphene-enhanced concrete, carbon emissions reduce one of the most polluting industries today by making lighter products and reducing the amounts of materials used.
