X-Hab 3D has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of sustainable carbon-neutral construction materials for 3D printing of artificial reefs to protect coastal infrastructure from shoreline erosion and wave damage.
Coastal populations, assets, and military and civilian infrastructure in the U.S. and worldwide are at increasing risk due to the impact of rising sea levels and climate change, with damage caused by intensified storm surges, flood frequency, and saltwater intrusion into the groundwater aquifer. Artificial reefs, jetties, and breakwaters can help reduce coastal erosion and protect against storm surges. X-Hab 3D is collaborating with a Penn State research team to design unique formulations of 3D-printable materials with chemistry tailored towards marine exposure. The newly developed carbon-neutral concrete will not only provide material for construction of coastal infrastructure but will also serve as a reef starter and marine lifeguard.
“We are excited to be working with DARPA and our colleagues at Penn State to advance the state of technology in concrete composite materials and 3D concrete printing, with such far-reaching implications for critical infrastructure,” says Nate Watson, VP of Engineering and Product, who is the principal investigator for the project.
About X-Hab 3D
X-Hab 3D is a State College, PA-based company that manufactures and sells expeditionary-grade 3D concrete printing (3DCP) systems that can print houses, prefab, and high-value structures with complex geometries using local geologic resources for construction materials, with significant reduction in build time, labor and material costs, waste, and job-site injuries compared to conventional construction. X-Hab 3D printers’ compact, mobile, ruggedized features make them suitable for printing in all kinds of environmental conditions and challenging terrain with minimal setup time and without the need for supporting infrastructure.
X-Hab 3D’s management team includes recognized leaders in digital architecture, systems and mechanical engineering, software development, robotics, and advanced materials, and has won numerous awards in 3D printing technology competitions, including NASA’s 3D-Printed Mars Habitat Challenge. X-Hab 3D has also teamed with Penn State for 3DCP R&D support in several other areas. Penn State is widely recognized as a leader in the science and engineering of materials, with state-of-the-art facilities and researchers with extensive experience in successful formulation of novel binders for a wide range of concrete-based applications.
Contact
Bruce Kraselsky, CEO, X-Hab 3D