MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS organic : bio-foams derived from extruded wood cellulose . Initially , over the next three years , the project ’ s goal will be to “ print ” construction material from this bio-foam to create external building facades with porthole openings that can open and close in response to the environment . Archibiofoam is one of 43 projects from 30 European Union countries selected by the EIC as part of a call for cutting-edge research projects aimed at breakthroughs in five strategic areas , and which will receive a total of € 159 million in EU funding . Of the € 3.5 million allocated for the bio-foam project , more than € 800,000 is earmarked for the University of Milan team , while the rest is divided among the other partner organizations : Aalto University , the University of Stuttgart , and Woamy . In this advanced technology project that aims to change the conception of construction towards the idea of buildings that naturally respond to environmental conditions by expanding and contracting to control air flow , the University of Milan , with the Center for Complexity and Biosystems represented by Stefano Zapperi , Professor of Physics of Matter at the Department of Physics “ Aldo Pontremoli ” and expert in the automatic generation of 3D digital models , will play an important role . Using proprietary software , his team at the Center will be able to specify the design parameters to be optimized algorithmically , such as the heat and humidity sensitivity of the bio-foam , to achieve the best results . “ We are currently witnessing a revolution in structural design thanks to algorithms that can find the most effective geometry for a desired function , such as programming shape changes under external stimuli ,” comments Professor Zapperi . “ During the Archibiofoam project , we intend to expand
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Collaboration and Innovation
The Center for Complexity and Biosystems at the University of Milan is an interdisciplinary research center established in 2015 that studies complex systems through the integration of different disciplines such as physics , biology , and computer science . The center addresses scientific and technological challenges of complex systems with an interdisciplinary approach , studying the emerging properties of complex and biomimetic materials , understanding how cellular and biomolecular processes influence the physiological and pathological behavior of organisms , and quantitatively analyzing the dynamics of complex networks . The center also promotes international collaborations and scientific innovation , contributing to new discoveries in the fields of biology and physics . Its unique approach combines theory , experiments , and simulations to tackle the most complex challenges of modern science . the capabilities of our software and adapt it to the physical characteristics of bio-foam and the needs of the construction industry . I foresee a pipeline where the architect only specifies their requirements in terms of shape , mechanical characteristics , and response functions , and the computer provides a 3D digital model ready for large-scale fabrication .”
The 4D printer used to extrude material from wet foam
A GREENER SOLUTION FOR CONSTRUCTION One of the main motivations for Archibiofoam is to reduce emissions from the construction sector , the most polluting industry in the world , with about 40 % of global annual emissions . As the global building stock continues to age , its heating and cooling efficiency also becomes obsolete . However , intervening on the existing building infrastructure would inevitably release enormous amounts of emissions in the short term . A reassessment of the entire life cycle of materials is needed to reduce pollution . If developed and used , load-bearing expanded bio-materials ( like bio-foam ) could replace typical non-renewable and resource-intensive building materials such as cement , steel , and glass . Bio-foam has strength comparable to these materials , even though it is composed of 90 % air , is biodegradable , and adheres to the principles of a circular economy . “ The scientific community ,” explains researcher Juha Koivisto , head of the Aalto team coordinating the project , “ has long known that the structural integrity of these bio-foams is competitive with other building materials , but it has not been tested to its full potential . We will not only demonstrate that our closed-cell foam technology can be used as a substitute material but also its unique ability to respond to environmental factors such as heat and humidity to enable passive heating and cooling of buildings , improving the carbon footprint of existing building infrastructures by several orders of magnitude .” The project also includes a team of researchers from the Institute for Computational Design and Construction at the University of Stuttgart , led by Dr . Tiffany Cheng , an expert in robotics , who will be responsible for adjusting the large 4D printer used to extrude material from wet foam . “ Robotic additive manufacturing is particularly suited for structuring materials at high resolution , thereby unlocking the performance potential of bio-foam on a large scale ,” says Cheng . “ By adapting the mono-material system through our manufacturing process , we aim to meet the multiple functional requirements of building components such as load capacity and shape change for adaptive ventilation .” This 4D printing allows printed objects to transform autonomously in response to environmental stimuli . The digital design and robotic fabrication of wood-derived foams offer the possibility of creating adaptive architectures , drastically reducing the carbon footprint not only in the material production process but also throughout the building ’ s life cycle . To close the loop , the project ’ s industrial partner is Woamy , the spin-off company of Aalto University that has based its business on expanded bio-material technology with the goal of bringing bio-foam to market . “ As a direct spin-off from Aalto University , Woamy is at the forefront of bio-foam-based technology development . Our deep roots in this innovation are vital to bringing the Archibiofoam project to life . Through this collaboration and leveraging our expertise , we aim to demonstrate how Woamy ’ s biofoam can transform not only the packaging industry but also the construction industry ,” concluded Susanna Partanen , CEO of Woamy .
Italian technology plast / October 2024
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