They are made from an organic cement-like material based on microalgae, which are grown in special bioreactors according to the principle of ordinary corals - using sunlight, seawater and CO2, write Dezeen.
The developers note that thanks to the new biomaterial it will be possible to reduce "a significant part, if not all, of the carbon emissions associated with traditional construction materials based on conventional concrete." In its properties, the development is not inferior to Portland cement, and therefore can become its ecological analogue.
Material manufacturing process. Photo: Dezeen
The material from microalgae was invented by specialists of the University of Colorado in Boulder. The company Prometheus Materials has been working since 2021 to make the material available for public use. Currently, it is used to create masonry bricks, and in the future it is planned to be used for the production of roof tiles, wall panels and sound barriers.
Lauren Burnett, CEO of Prometheus Materials. Photo: Dezeen
The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) has determined that blocks manufactured using this principle meet all required construction standards. In terms of strength, they even exceed blocks made of ordinary cement.
This project is being financed by the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, the European venture capital company Sofinnova Partners and the architectural studio SOM.
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