Discovered in a lab at Vanderbilt University, white light quantum dots are micro-scaled fluorescent beads of cadmium selenide that convert LED-emitted blue light into a warm white similar to the color temperature of incandescent bulbs. This white color is distinct from that produced by white light LEDs, which simulate white light from a combination of monochromatic colors.

Although there were initial concerns over the low efficiency of quantum dots, researchers have since made the technology much more efficient—up to a 45 percent efficiency. “Forty-five percent is as high as the efficiency of some commercial phosphors which suggests that white-light quantum dots can now be used in some special lighting applications,” says lead Vanderbilt chemist Sandra Rosenthal. “The fact that we have successfully boosted their efficiency by more than 10 times also means that it should be possible to improve their efficiency even further.”

Contact: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

According to Wake Forest researcher Corey Hewitt, “We waste a lot of energy in the form of heat. For example, recapturing a car’s energy waste could help improve fuel mileage and power the radio, air conditioning or navigation system. Generally thermoelectrics are an underdeveloped technology for harvesting energy, yet there is so much opportunity.”

The first prototypes of Power Felt yielded 140 nanowatts of power from 72 layers of nanofabric, and the researchers are currently attempting to increase the output of the technology.

“I imagine being able to make a jacket with a completely thermoelectric inside liner that gathers warmth from body heat, while the exterior remains cold from the outside temperature,” says Hewitt. “If the Power Felt is efficient enough, you could potentially power an iPod, which would be great for distance runners. It’s definitely within reach.”

Contact: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

Contact: Ambient Glow Technology, Pickering, Ontario, Canada.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Contact: Holzbuild, Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Contact: Well Ausstellungssystem GmbH, Hannover, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

For decades, GKD has manufactured metal fabrics for industrial applications in filtration and separation technologies and the process belt sector. At first, it was their visual attractiveness that made metal fabrics suitable for the architecture and design sector. During the continuous product development, it became clear that metal fabrics also have considerable technical advantages which are extremely relevant in the field of architecture. Today, the architect has a wide range of fabric samples at hand, with weaving widths up to 26 feet.

Woven metal fabrics may be used as partition elements, projection screens, and acoustic scrims appropriate for public buildings, opera houses and concert halls.

Contact: GKD-USA, Inc., Cambridge, MD, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

CMI’s periodic cellular materials are comprised of a lightweight core sandwiched between two face sheets. CMI utilizes a wide variety of designs for its proprietary structures such as pyramidal and tetrahedral configurations, collectively referred to as Microtruss. Both the core and face sheets are manufactured from proven and established commercial materials, employing standard metallurgical processes in a variety of designs, densities, and metals suited to the specifications of an application.

Contact: Cellular Materials International, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Unlike conventional concrete, Transbuoyant Concrete has extremely high tensile and flexural strength as well as high compression strength. The building system is durable, easily maintained, as well as earthquake, water, wind, fire, and bullet resistant. It is also extremely lightweight and easy to construct.

Contact: Monotech International, Inc., Houston, TX, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

When subjected to fire, Reddex chars and burns at a slower rate than other fire retardants. Eventually it transforms into a bound inorganic porous structure that has a low thermal conductivity and good mechanical rigidity, providing good insulating and structural properties. It contains no ignition resistant additives such as halogen, sulfur, or phosphor, so no toxic gas is released—only water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Contact: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Recently, researchers at the Institute of Materials Science in Madrid tested the acoustic properties of the sculpture, and found that Órgano also behaves as a phononic crystal capable of filtering and modifying sound waves. Listeners positioned on one side of the installation will hear tonal modifications of sounds projected from the opposite side—an aural analogy to the visual effect of light passing through colored prisms.

Scientists at the Transport Research Laboratory in the UK are currently researching the application of Sempere’s geometry to reduce noise along rail networks and roadways.

Contact: Fundación Juan March, Madrid, Spain.