Searched for
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
In 2021, Berkeley Lab made a roof coating that switches at 67°C. Today, it beats existing coatings in 12 of 15 US climate zones, cutting household electricity use 10%Installing TARC could help the average U.S. household reduce electricity consumption by up to 10 percent annually. Another advantage of TAR...
In 1991, Curitiba began exchanging recyclables for bus tokens and food. 35 years later, the city recycles 70% of its waste while creating jobs and supporting familiesIn Curitiba, Brazil, residents can exchange recyclable waste for fresh food. Other cities have found different uses for what people throw a...
City University of Hong Kong built a radiative-cooling ceramic tile reflecting 99.6% of sunlight; field tests found it about 5°C cooler than standard tilesResearchers developed a new ceramic tile inspired by beetles. This tile reflects 99.6% of sunlight and releases absorbed heat effectively. ...
No concrete, only boulders: Just 2 hours from Bengaluru, this 2,400 sq ft forest farmstay is built with natural stone, mud blocks, wood and clayNestled in Shoolagiri, this extraordinary farmstay near Bengaluru seamlessly incorporates natural boulders into its design, promoting an ec...
In 1993, Taiwan collected 70% of its trash while recycling virtually none. 33 years later, paid bags, musical trucks and sorting helped drive recycling to 55% nationwideTaiwan’s experience therefore challenges the idea that recycling depends mainly on individual environmental enthusiasm. People certainly ne...
Manufacture in India, build for the world: Sitharaman urges global investorsIn a strategic appeal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman encouraged global investors to set up manufacturing and innovation centers in In...
What looks like a normal Canadian home is actually made from 612,000 plastic bottlesTwo Canadian brothers have turned an astonishing 612,000 discarded plastic bottles into a concept home in Meteghan, Nova Scotia. Their comp...
Two Canadian builders turned 612,000 plastic bottles into 2,000-sq-ft home in Nova Scotia; its panels were so strong they withstood sustained winds of 326 mph, twice the strength of Category 5 hurricaneCanadian builders transformed more than 600,000 plastic bottles into a house. The recycled PET was processed into foam and used to make str...
In 2019, RMIT researchers fired clay bricks mixed with treated sewage sludge; a 25% biosolids batch cut firing energy by 48.6% while passing strength testsResearchers are exploring ways to recycle sewage sludge into building materials. Mixing biosolids into clay significantly cuts the energy n...
In a 2025 study, researchers fired clay bricks with 10% eggshell powder; thermal conductivity was 50% lower than in untreated bricksInnovators are integrating eggshell waste into fired clay bricks, effectively reducing heat transfer in building structures. By using a 10%...
India’s built environment faces a talent crunch as Viksit Bharat ambitions growIndia’s infrastructure ambitions are outpacing the availability of industry-ready professionals. Ashwani Awasthi, MD, RICS South Asia, expl...
In 2019, Buffalo scientists coated aluminum film with a cooling polymer; a small prototype cooled an enclosed box by 11°F by day and 20°F at nightScientists have engineered a cost-effective film utilizing aluminum foil combined with a polymer layer. This innovative film actively cools...
How a student turned waste glass into an ‘oyster home’ and won Rs 1.2 lakh awardA Florida high school student, Delaney Peterson, has explored an unusual way to support oyster reef restoration, by turning discarded glass...
In 2025, researchers built a box from porous PMMA sheets that reflected 96% of sunlight; 80°F outdoor air measured 65.3°F inside without electricityInnovative materials scientists are exploring passive cooling techniques to lessen the demand for air conditioning. They have engineered a ...
In a 2025 study, Penn State researchers tested porous PMMA sheets that reflected 96.4% of sunlight; a test box stayed 14.7°F cooler than the outdoor airInnovative researchers have crafted a groundbreaking porous plastic sheet that cools without any electrical input. By reflecting sunlight a...
From food waste to water: A new research shows how new biomass hydrogels could help turning discarded food and agricultural waste into a source of atmospheric water for irrigation and sustainable farmingResearchers developed new hydrogels from natural materials to capture atmospheric moisture. These innovative materials can absorb water vap...
In 2021, RMIT tested shredded face masks with recycled concrete for road bases; 1 kilometer could use 3 million masks and divert 93 tonnes from landfillEngineers from Australia have introduced an innovative strategy for converting used face masks into construction materials for roads. This ...
In 2020, a Brazilian mother and daughter started collecting discarded bottles; years later, 8,000 glass bottles became the walls of their seven-bedroom home that glows at sunriseA Brazilian mother and daughter collected over 8,000 discarded bottles from beaches in 2020. These bottles were then incorporated into the ...
Plant-based protein market poised to reach Rs 9,000 cr in five years: Industry body PBFIAIndia's plant-based protein ingredient market is set to double to Rs 9,000 crore within five years. Consumers are shifting towards targeted...
In 2024, scientists built a window that kept a model house about 7°C cooler, without electricity or blocking the viewEngineers in South Korea have developed an innovative smart window that cools spaces sans electricity. This remarkable glass not only refle...