In a move away from traditional building materials that have a high carbon footprint, such as steel and concrete, scientists are developing new materials to use in a greener built environment. Some of the latest materials expected to hit the market soon include:

A coconut- and lemon-based material

Scientists at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm discovered that these fruits, when combined with a sustainably harvested wood-based structure, create a “thermal energy battery” that can alter its transparency and regulate temperatures. Turning clear during the day, this material stores heat, keeping an interior space cool. At night, the material becomes opaque as it releases the stored heat, providing privacy and reducing energy costs. The materials are low-cost, sustainable and scalable.

Bricks made from trash

Researchers at RMIT University in Australia are replacing some of the clay used to make bricks with recycled glass and ash from incinerated trash. This idea would divert trash from the landfill, lower manufacturing costs and has the potential to reduce the emissions generated by making 1.5 billion hand-molded bricks each year in coal-fired kilns. Replacing clay with 20% ash from burnt solid waste and 15% glass refuse lowers kiln temperatures by 20%. Additionally, these bricks have better insulation properties, so they can reduce energy bills by around 5%.

Sugarcrete

Researchers at the University of East London have developed a brick made from bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane. This sugarcane waste, called Sugarcrete, can transform into a brick, an insulating panel or a load-bearing element. Four to five times lighter than regular bricks and built using robotics and artificial intelligence technology, they reduce carbon pollution 80%–85% compared with traditional materials. Sugarcane is the world’s most-produced crop by volume; this product offsets some of the undesirable environmental impacts.

Engineered living materials

Researchers at Montana State University believe that mixing engineered living materials into building materials can reduce pollution. Although currently unable to survive for long periods in structures meant to support more weight, research is ongoing.

Mycelium

A London-based architecture firm has developed 3D-printed modular building blocks from wood and mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. In the process, molds are filled with sawdust, hemp and flax. The mycelium grows through this mixture, creating a solid structure. The bricks are strong, lightweight, fire-resistant and completely biodegradable. Currently used as insulation and acoustic boards, researchers hope to expand applications to include load-bearing blocks.