Architect Magazine: Latest Posts

Ultralight Material Gives New Life to Metal

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:20:27 EST

Metal foams, which are used primarily for automotive and orthopedic applications, can now be made entirely from discarded aluminum cans, making the ultralight material even more resourceful.

A Digital Camera that Mimics Insect Eyes

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:31:32 EST

Researchers present the first digital camera to mimic the functionality of an insect's eye.

Uses Abound for Newly Discovered Silicone Type

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:51:26 EST

Scientists at Rice University have found a new form of toughened silicone, which they anticipate will be applied to a wide variety of products, ranging from electronic displays to self-healing polymers.

Crowdfunding Resurrects Controversial Drawing Tool

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:52:04 EST

An early 19th-century device that enabled users to draw lifelike images before the invention of the camera is making a comeback due to a Kickstarter proposal.

One Step Closer to Smart Clothing

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:20:57 EST

Integration of electronic materials may lead to wearable composite textiles.

New Material Changes Properties When Stretched

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:31:33 EST

A new tear-inspired material developed by scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute could help architects with stormwater management in buildings.

Organic Electronics: Paint Your Own Computer?

Thu, 2 May 2013 08:59:14 EST

Paint can harness solar energy, emit light, and report on structural damage. And now it can act as a semiconductor for paint-on plastic electronics.

The Secret to Passive Solar Cooling

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:31:01 EST

A team of researchers at Stanford University has found the secret to passive solar cooling in nanostructured photonic materials. This technique may have far-reaching effects, such as providing cooling in areas without electricity.

Scientists Create Warm-White LED

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:03:41 EST

Scientists in Georgia believe they have warmed up the cold solid-state lighting that we've become accustomed to.

New Polymer May Bring Down Cost of OLEDs

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:50:37 EST

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy have come up with a substitute for the rare substance indium tin oxide that is used in solid-state lighting technology.

Solar Cells May Soon Come From Plant-Based Substances

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:08:02 EST

Scientists in Georgia are working on developing solar cells from plant-based substances.

KieranTimberlake Helps Students Consider Climate Data

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:12:19 EST

Researchers at KieranTimberlake encourage students to consider the effects of climate change on design, instead of passing that job on to mechanical engineers.

German Scientists Design Earthquake-Resistant Wallpaper

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:35:31 EST

The new Intelligent Composite Seismic Wallpaper is a textile made of of glass fibers that helps hold masonry up during earthquakes.

Students Design Ecolabels for Building Products

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 08:46:30 EST

Blaine Brownell gets his students to dream up new, hypothetical ecolabels that could be used to rate the environmental quality of building products.

Is Wood the New Steel?

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 06:36:14 EST

Architect Michael Green's new projects herald how wood is becoming a favored green material. Next up is his Wood Innovation and Design Center in Prince George, B.C.

Christo Designs Largest Inflated Envelope

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 09:01:30 EST

Christo's new inflatable envelope is next example of the resurgence of inflatable architecture, attractive for its potential to create maximum effect with minimal material.

Metal Theft from Buildings Inspires New Tracking Method

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:06:06 EST

The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3) in London has developed a new engraving technique to track the metal components of buildings that are at risk of theft.

Making New Teeth From One's Own Gums

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:52:45 EST

Could new teeth come from our own gum tissue? A scientist in London thinks so, in his work on one form of biomimicry.

A Mediterranean Plant Becomes Building Insulation

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 02:04:05 EST

In the Mediterranean, the 'Posidonia oceanica' plant is going from annoying waste that has to be landfilled to useful building insulation, thanks to German researchers.

Robots Fabricate a Lobster-Inspired Pavilion

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:04:47 EST

An experimental pavilion in Germany was inspired by a lobster's shell and constructed by robots.