At a cost 80 percent lower than its traditional counterpart, two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain have succeeded in designing and patenting a new type of transparent concrete, which promises a revolution in the construction sector and is produced at very rapid rates and at a very low cost.
Researchers Jose Albiol and Miguel Lopez named their new invention “Hetrans,” as the new transparent concrete allows for 3D printed designs to be incorporated into it, thus creating facades, sidewalks and other construction works.
Transparent concrete is a building material that has light transmission properties, due to the optical elements integrated within it, which are usually optical fibers.
Through it, light passes through the concrete block from one end to the other, and this process produces a specific light on the surface.
Regarding the new “Hetranc” concrete, Jose Albiol, a professor at the Faculty of Construction Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, says: “We can print any imaginable design using 3D printing technology and incorporate it into the facade construction process.”
He continues: “Using “Hytrans”, we can create structures that include distinctive images in many different forms, such as a company logo, a reproduction of a work of art, a print of a person’s face, or an image of a particular city. We can also include luminous devices to illuminate the structure.”
High efficiency and low cost
According to the researchers, this concrete is produced at a much lower cost than traditional transparent concrete, since transparent concrete is not a new thing, but it is handmade, which directly affects its high final cost.
“Hetrans” also includes reinforcement elements of varying thicknesses, ensuring the strength of the concrete parts. The 3D printed parts, along with the design, provide an internal basic structure, ensuring the overall structural rigidity of the concrete. This configuration and the materials used ensure an improved 3D appearance of the final product.
In addition, “Hterans” can integrate continuous or intermittent lighting in any area, using batteries that are charged via an external power source, as well as wireless charging devices.
Multiple uses
The new type of concrete is an innovative and unique solution in the world, as it is easy to transport and install, and has great potential for construction, furniture manufacturing, and even advertising. It can also be used in design elements such as lamps or decorative elements, as well as kitchens, work surfaces, outdoor and indoor floors, etc.
The researchers emphasize that the production process is extremely simple, as the 3D printed parts with the designs are included inside the molds, then the concrete is poured and once placed inside, the sides are polished and the final product is formed, including the image and design, all in record time, and at a cost 80 percent lower than its traditional counterpart.
