Technologies used in construction of buildings are constantly evolving. Recently, scientists have developed a number of new building materials. Some of them can reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as well as improve energy efficiency of buildings. The best minds of mankind created self-healing building materials, developed non-standard ways of heating and cooling of buildings. We offer you to check out the most interesting samples of these technologies.

Energy-efficient 3D-printed ceramic “Cool Brick”

3D-printed brick is one of the construction breakthroughs. Emerging Objects, frontrunners in the 3D printing industry, has developed a 3D-printed ceramic “Cool Brick”. The structure of such a brick is multi-porous, and the walls made of it are a grid that allows air to pass through. Cool Brick, according to the developers, is a sponge with a lot of pores, absorbing moisture. Hot air cools passing through it, absorbing moisture.

Smog-eating concrete

A new type of cement is able to clean the air around it. Walls made of 'biodynamic' concrete remove pollutants from the air and convert them into harmless salts.

Alternative energy of algae

The first algae-powered building in the world appeared in Germany's Hamburg.

The "building with Bio-Intelligent Quotient" (BIQ ) is the first algae powered building in the world. The building was created as an experimental one. Biological reactors with algae are installed on its facade. The plants have conditions similar to its habitat. In the warm season, they are intensively growing, producing power at the same time. It is an efficient way to save on electricity costs.

Self-healing concrete

Dutch scientists developed a revolutionary building material, self-healing concrete (SHC). This is a new type of white cement, which is able to recover spontaneously with the help of a certain type of bacteria and lactic calcium. Bacteria contained in the cement absorb calcium lactate and then produce limestone. It fills all microcracks and pores, restoring even the microscopic damages.

Glass roof tiles

SolTech Energy, a Swedish company selling solutions for clean solar power, has developed a unique home heating system contained within roofing tiles made out of transparent glass.

Solar cells are built in the roof tiles, which let in the sun's rays to heat water, while water is used for heating and power generation.

Mushroom-based building materials

Mushrooms roots can be used to make mushroom-based building materials that are stronger than concrete, have more insulating power than fiberglass, and have good fire resistance. New York-based design firm Ecovative has developed the technology and has grown a tiny house using mycelium. This is the first such structure in the world.