Transmaterial » ultraperforming

Ambient Glow Technology

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:00:15 +0000

Ambient Glow Technology (AGT) is a proprietary blend of non-shrinking, extremely hard polyester resin and photoluminescent pigment. Exhibiting extremely high luminosity, AGT was specifically formulated for use in decorative concrete, concrete, stucco, plasters, cementitious overlays, terrazzo, and epoxy applications. AGT aggregates produce an unusual ambient light source, enhancing safety in low light level conditions for over 12 hours after exposure to sunlight for only 10 minutes. The application of AGT in exterior landscaping projects can actually reduce the need for electrically-powered lighting by up to 70% per evening. AGT’s daylight or ‘native’ color is off-white, and afterglow colors are available in yellow-green, aqua blue and sky blue.

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

BBS Panels

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:42 +0000

BBS are structural solid wood panels made of sustainably harvested, fast-growth soft wood. By laminating longitudinal and cross layers (X-LAM), the natural forces of the wood (e.g. expanding, contracting, bending) are minimized to achieve great strength and stability. The panels are used primarily for structure, but can also provide a finished, exposed surface. The BBS panels are produced through a digital fabrication process where the shop drawings are transmitted to the plant as 3D CAD files. The panels are then CNC cut and shipped directly to the construction site.

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

Kraftplex

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:01 +0000

Kraftplex combines the characteristics of metal, composite materials and plastics. Comprised by 100% unbleached wood fibers with no added binders or adhesives, it is a stable, flexible and durably-shapeable metal akin to metal sheets. Because Kraftplex has electrically-isolating properties, it is a good alternative to conventional plastic sheeting. It is also flexible enough that 3D shaping via deep-drawing and edge-shaping are possible. Kraftplex may be easily cut, drilled, perforated, and adhered using common woodworking tools. It can also be treated with paints, varnishes, oils, waxes, and adhesives—as well as covered with decor film and printed.

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

GKD Metal Fabrics

Blaine Brownell — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:00:03 +0000

Woven metal fabrics have been developed for use as decorative and functional design elements in architecture. The French National Library in Paris was the first architectural project where GKD, in cooperation with French architect Dominique Perrault, succeeded in systematically implementing metal meshes in a building in various ways and applications. Since then, this development has continued worldwide.

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.
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Microtruss

Blaine Brownell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:00:06 +0000

CMI develops and manufactures structures based on periodic cellular material (PCM) technology that are incredibly light, strong, multifunctional, efficient at heat exchange, and versatile due to their design and material flexibility. CMI’s PCM is now being incorporated into advanced applications that require structural support, armor protection, and thermal management as well as a combination of these functions. These structures’ multifunctionality provides innovations such as enhanced fuel cell performance, increased payloads for spacecraft, as well as increased durability for military vehicles.

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.
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Transbuoyant Concrete

Blaine Brownell — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:00:13 +0000

Architect Peter Jay Zweig and Monotech International, Inc. have developed an innovative, extremely fast, flexible, inexpensive, and environmentally-friendly building system with a wide variety of applications. This system includes a proprietary concrete blend with performance-enhancing additives called Monocrete, which is an integral part of a double monocoque design which Zweig terms Transbuoyant Concrete.

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.
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Reddex

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:00:20 +0000

The Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan has announced its development of Reddex, the first non-toxic fire resistant composite material technology to simultaneously offer ignition resistance and fire protection in one system, effectively reducing the risks associated with structural fires. Reddex may be prepared as a paint, paste or foam, and is offered in mechanical properties ranging from flexible to rigid.

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.

Órgano

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:00:35 +0000

Órgano is a sculpture designed by the Spanish artist Eusebio Sempere and built in Madrid, Spain. Composed of a three-dimensional array of polished stainless steel pipes, the installation rotates to filter and reflect sunlight dynamically.

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.

Zcell

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:00:31 +0000

Zcell is an engineered foaming cell-structure technology that provides customizable material solutions related to protection requirements. Developed by South Korea-based DXD Inc., Zcell technology offers a broad range of lightweight cushioning and protective benefits with improved structure, performance, function, flexibility and consistency in cross-linked foam components and products. Zcell allows for unlimited cell structure patterns, multiple molding processes, multiple materials and combinations, as well as unlimited configurations.

Contact: DXD Inc., Busan, South Korea.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

FibreC

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:00:12 +0000

FibreC is a light-weight, high performance concrete that requires no steel reinforcement. A special extrusion process incorporates layers of fiber glass into a concrete matrix; in the top layer and underlayer the fibers are undirected and scattered, and in the medium layer they take the form of roofings (fiber bundles). The omission of steel reinforcement allows the construction of slim concrete elements that are highly stressable despite being extremely thin-walled. The result is an extremely thin slab with 8 to 13 mm thickness, which is very light-weight, yet has a high flexural strength.

FibreC slabs are fabricated in different colors before being hardened for 28 days. Owing to its formability, the so-called “concrete skin” offers flowing transitions from interior to exterior surfaces and a smooth covering for edges and corners. As FibreC can be used for all surfaces, traditional spatial boundaries disappear, and interior and exterior conditions may be treated similarly.

Contact: Rieder Faserbeton-Elemente GmbH, Kolbermoor, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.