Scientists Create 3D-Printed Buildings from Soil

Scientists have developed a method to 3D-print greener buildings using local soil that they say has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry. The technology is designed to be a sustainable alternative to concrete, which accounts for approximately 7% of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. Sarbajit Banerjee, a professor of chemistry and materials science and engineering at Texas A&M University, said 3D printing enabled a versatility that allowed them to print entire architectural facades, although getting such structures to meet existing building regulations remained a significant challenge. What’s more, the use of local materials would reduce the need to transport concrete long distances, further reducing the environmental impact of the buildings. The research team’s plan to replace concrete with the earth beneath our feet depends on their ability to improve soil’s load-bearing capabilities, to which Banerjee said they “are making excellent progress”. Once they have a clearer idea of the limits of the technology, Banerjee and his team plan to investigate how it might allow for building on other planets.