Project Overview
Project Description
Prometheus Materials has developed a patented biomineralization technology whereby the natural biochemical processes of algae are harnessed and used to synthesize a bio-based source of limestone. Prometheus Materials is looking to include an early-career technical professional in its concrete 3d printing development project that will be essential in evaluating biomineral-based feedstocks and driving the decarbonization of concrete 3d printing. This work will include screening cement additives such as rheology modifiers, hardeners, air reducers and shrinkage reducers in Prometheus Materials ProZERO™ bulk materials. Additional work will focus on tuning feedstock formulations to ensure compatibility with 3d printing equipment, object printability, and final mechanical performance.
Key responsibilities:
- Research: Conducting research on 3d concrete printing projects in academic literature and industry use-case studies with a focus on feedstock formulations.
- Bulk Cube Studies: Screening feedstock additives in ProZERO™ formulations in bulk mortar cubes. Studies will involve qualitative and quantitative measurements of additive impact on maturity index, loss on ignition, and compressive strength of the bulk material.
- Thin Film Studies: Trial the down-selected ProZERO™ bulk feedstocks that demonstrated ideal rheology, set times, and mechanical performance in thin films to represent a single 3d printed layer. Evaluation of concrete flow, shrinkage, set time, and tensile/compressive stresses during curing.
- Multi-Layer Object: Evaluating the layer-to-layer adhesion, curing of multilayered objects relative to single layer and bulk curing, and strength of the final object relative to bulk objects with the same geometry.
Impact
3d printable concrete represents a significant step towards sustainable and greener construction practices. Unlike traditional concrete, 3d printing is a layer-by-layer method that affords special precision during manufacturing, which minimizes excess material used and eliminates the need for wood moulds and metal forms. Some estimates show a reduction in waste of 70-90%, depending on the application. Reducing waste not only decreases cost but also reduces the overall carbon footprint compared to traditional ordinary Portland cement (OPC) construction. Additionally, 3d printing allows for more complex features to be included in a print design, such as structural, acoustic, and insulating characteristics. Despite the advantages of 3d printing in building construction, current feedstocks are based on Type IL industry cement that is modified with chemical additives and yields carbon-intensive feedstocks. By designing decarbonized 3d concrete printing feedstocks, the advantages of 3d printing are maximized.
Eligibility Criteria
Skills / Experience
- Required:
- Process Design
- Research
- Structural Design and Analysis
- Knowledgeable in 3d printing and/or building materials, laboratory techniques, and materials characterization.
Discipline:
- Mechanical, Structural, Civil, Chemical, Materials Engineering, or Materials Science.
Time zone compatibility (when the Fellow should be available for meetings):
- MST (UTC-7)
