ESA

Researchers from the European Space Agency have released a study that found mixing urea, the main organic compound found in human urine, with a lunar geopolymer mixture results in lunar concrete that could be used to construct future lunar habitats. Extruded using a 3D printer, the material was easily moldable and able to retain its shape even when bearing up to 10 times its own weight. “The science community is particularly impressed by the high strength of this new recipe compared to other materials, but also attracted by the fact that we could use what’s already on the Moon,” said study co-author Marlies Arnhof in a press release. [ESA]

Hubbell Lighting

Lighting experts and manufacturers discuss the efficacy of the technologies available for reducing bacteria, mold, spores, and viruses using light, or germicidal ultraviolet. [ARCHITECT]

The team used atom-by-atom simulations to determine how cracks propagate through different materials. This animation shows one such simulation, in which the crack propagates all the way through.
The team used atom-by-atom simulations to determine how cracks propagate through different materials. This animation shows one such simulation, in which the crack propagates all the way through.

Researchers from MIT have developed an artificial intelligence–based approach to assess the strength of protective coatings or structural materials in a matter of milliseconds—a process that historically has taken hours or even days to complete. By analyzing the cracks in a material’s molecular structure, the team focused on "predicting the way a material would break or fracture," according to a press release. The engineers generated hundreds of simulations with a variety of structures and then fed the data to an AI system to assess any trends. [MIT]

The Atlanta–based venture capital investment firm Shadow Ventures created a virtual pitchathon to connect "investors, architects, engineers, contractors, and real estate professionals with 60-plus pre-seed to Series B startups." The public can tune in and watch anytime during the June 2-3 event. [ARCHITECT]

Chipper Hatter

Miller Hull's San Diego studio has achieved Living Building Challenge Petal Certification, becoming the first project certified under the fourth version of the Living Building Challenge. [ARCHITECT]

Monash University

A team from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, has developed a recyclable material that they claim "could revolutionize the construction industry, assist disaster-affected areas, and become used in space exploration." Using a technique called severe plastic deformation, which results in an ultra-fine grain size or nanocrystalline structure, the archimat material has been shown to have superior strength, enhanced ductility, a high tolerance to damage, good thermal insulation, and the ability to mitigate sound. “Archimats therefore offer smarter, safer, and more sustainable materials for use in manufacturing and industrial design, with the building industry being arguably the greatest potential beneficiary of this design concept,” said project lead Yuri Estrin in the same release. [Monash University]

Just announced, the 2020 AIA COTE Top Ten Award winners include sustainable solutions for government, community, education, and commercial projects across the United States. [ARCHITECT]