Living, breathing buildings: Bio foams could transform the way we build
Using wood-based foam, which is 90% air-based, Finnish researchers want to develop passive ventilation systems that are more environmentally friendly than conventional materials like steel, glass, and concrete. Aalto University, the University of Stuttgart, and the University of Milan collaborated on the Archibiofoam project. The researchers want to show off how wood-based foam reacts specifically to temperature and humidity, allowing buildings to be passively heated and cooled. If effective, foams made of wood could take the role of resource-intensive and non-renewable building components including steel, glass, and concrete. The bio foam is biodegradable, follows the principles of the circular economy, and is equally strong to these materials. Additionally, the project will make advantage of robotic additive fabrication through 4D printing with foam.
Find more in the press release by Aalto : https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/living-breathing-buildings-bio-foams-could-transform-the-way-we-build