NEW MATERIALS
INNOVATIVE
INVENTIONS
· Germ-killing paint
cleans up building
US researchers have developed a paint that could keep building germ free for years. The Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, has devised a formulation that kills any fungus, bacterium, virus or alga that lands on the painted surface. The key ingredient is calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime, which can kill most organisms within 15 minutes and can remain active for at least four sterilizing surfaces in hospitals, planes and offices.
· Japanese method
makes steel stronger
Japan’s National Research Institute for Metals has developed a method of making steel 40% stronger than normal. When ordinary steel is hardened by rapid cooling, small grains are produced in the metal. The Japanese researchers found that by applying pressure to the heated steel just before cooling, the grain sizes could be reduced to around two micrometers, a tenth of the normal size.
· Be at home in your very
own Monolithic Dome
Monolithic Domes could be the future of low cost housing. Plugged by their makers, Future Homes Now, as practically indestructible and fire and earthquake proof, they are simple concrete domes that you build yourself. To do this, first create a base, then cover it with an inflatable vinyl fabric. Using a high powered fan, you inflate the vinyl shell into a dome shape and then spray coat it with a layer of urethane foam 10 cm thick. Reinforce the frame with steel rods and, finally, spray the whole structure with concrete. One important tip: when spraying the walls inside, leave a hole for the front door.
RECYCLED
MATERIALS
· New factory turns
sewage to stone
The Tsukikishima Kikai CO. of Tokyo, Japan, is building a $25 million plant to manufacture synthetic stone made from the ash of incinerated sewage sludge. Ecorock is a new building material that can withstand up to five times as much bending force as granite or marble. The sewage ash is blended with up to 20% silica, alumina and lime and degassed at 1,300ºC to produce glass like stones. Finally, the product is reheated to produce Ecorock.
· Plastic is recycled
to make lumber
US company Earth Care has developed a building lumber made from recycled plastic waste material. The material is made from 100% recycled high density polyethylene plastic a plastics by product that would normally end up in a landfill site. The plastic lumber has a wood like matte texture and can especially be used in applications where it is exposed to the outside elements, such as for fencing, decks and outdoor and is guaranteed against damage by insects, rot, corrosion is that this new ‘plastic wood’ should reduce the demand for real wood products.
