Ideation Studio Series: 3D printing geopolymers

Innovators from across UAF participated in a special session of the Ideation Studio series featuring UAF Assistant Professor Nima Farzadnia, Department of Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering and Mines. Farzadinia discussed his extensive research on geopolymers and the advanced innovations he developed in this area.

The primary objective of the Ideation Studios is to foster collaborations to co-develop new interdisciplinary projects geared toward problem-solving as well as the generation of positive societal impacts, thereby enhancing the scope and impact of research initiatives. Farzadnia exemplifies this goal through his collaborative approach and engaging with various stakeholders.

A current innovative project Farzadnia is pursuing is focused on the development of a 3D-printed housing solution that can be scaled for application in rural Alaska. This endeavor entails numerous considerations beyond the structural design, including insulation, serviceability and cultural adaptability, all of which must be addressed before the homes can be inhabited. Farzadnia has also expressed interest in collaborating with artists and architects to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the housing designs. In addition to this project, the development of an automated geopolymer 3D printer for homes in Nome is underway. Farzadnia is improving the performance of construction materials by reducing the hardening time of traditional concrete from 20 days to just one hour, achieving a hardness four times higher than conventional methods.

Furthermore, Farzadnia discussed other innovations such as waterless lunar concrete, environmental silt stabilization and the use of waste materials to create advanced concrete.

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