This 3D-printed, carbon-absorbing bridge is inspired by bones

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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have unveiled Diamanti, a modular, 3D-printed bridge made from a carbon-absorbing concrete inspired by the internal structure of bones
• The prototype uses 60% less material while enhancing strength, and its concrete mix absorbs 142% more CO₂ than traditional formulations
• Following successful testing in Venice, the project has received approval to construct its first full-scale bridge in France

🔭 The context: Concrete is responsible for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, with most emissions arising from cement production
• To address this, the Diamanti team — funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and in partnership with Sika Group and other European firms — developed a lightweight concrete blend containing diatomaceous earth and designed a lattice-like structure based on bone morphology
• This approach increases surface area for CO₂ absorption and cuts material and energy use during construction

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Diamanti’s dual innovations — a low-carbon concrete mix and a minimal-material structural design — offer scalable strategies for decarbonizing construction
• With the built environment responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions, solutions like Diamanti can significantly reduce the footprint of public infrastructure
• Furthermore, its modular, robotic 3D printing process minimizes steel use and accelerates construction timelines, enhancing both environmental and economic sustainability

⏭️ What's next: Following its Venice showcase, Diamanti is advancing toward real-world deployment in France, with the bridge’s final site yet to be confirmed
• The team is also exploring additional applications, including prefabricated floor systems
• Supply chain scalability of materials like diatomaceous earth remains a concern, but researchers view Diamanti as part of a broader toolkit for sustainable construction, not a standalone fix

💬 One quote: “There’s no silver bullet. We need to be doing all the different actions that we can to manage material demands and reduce carbon,” says Andrew Minson, director of concrete and sustainable construction at the Global Cement and Concrete Association

📈 One stat: Diamanti’s structure reduces the need for steel by 80% and cuts overall construction costs by up to 30%, according to lead researcher Masoud Akbarzadeh

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