Lobsters inspire stronger 3D-printed concrete
Lobsters inspire stronger 3D-printed concrete
Australian researchers are studying patterns of a lobster shell
to improve the strength of concrete for use in complex architecture
RMIT UNIVERSITY LEAD RESEARCHER DR. JONATHAN TRAN, SAYING: "The lobster shell is always something that still amazes me by its very interesting shapes and architectures and especially the lobster shell is really amazingly very stiff. And the lobster if you look into the history of that, it appeared on Earth about 400 million years ago, so basically, it by nature has evolved and reinvented itself over time against a very harsh environment on earth."
The process uses 3D printing technology to create the patterns
Scientist say when the pattern is used with a concrete mixed with steel fibres
the composite is more durable than conventionally-made concrete
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RMIT UNIVERSITY LEAD RESEARCHER DR. JONATHAN TRAN, SAYING:"This solution learning from nature like the lobster shell will help us to build very complex arch structures or twisted structures that have really complex geometries. But it can self sustain, can self support without further external scaffold support structures."
