The team points to glass’ optical properties and its “infinite recyclability” as reasons for turning to the material.
MIT develops recyclable 3D-printed glass blocks for construction
Submitted 1 month ago by BrikoX@lemmy.zip to technology@lemmy.zip
https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/19/mit-develops-recyclable-3d-printed-glass-blocks-for-construction/
Hjalamanger@feddit.nu 1 month ago
I have a lot of questions. Why 3D print if everything is just going to be the same shape? And how do pieces shaped like 8ts snap together?
grue@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Because shoving the words “3D printing” into your proposal is how you get the grant money.
Also, actually doing the work to confirm that the common-sense intuition (that 3D printing glass blocks is kinda dumb) is correct is legitimate science.
Imacat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
The study also looked at casting the blocks. The cast ones were stronger but they noted some problems with their printing process.
They mention a lot of the usual upsides of 3d printing. It’s easy to iterate on a design, easy to modify to a particular need, and allows for geometry that’s impossible for other methods.
They snap together kinda like 2x1 legos.