Recombinant

Recombinant materials consist of two or more different materials that act in harmony to create a product whose performance is greater than the sum of its parts. Glare is a blast-proof fiber-metal developed by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. It consists of multiple aluminum layers interspersed with layers of fiberglass and adhesive bonding that are supple yet strong. It expands with a blast, absorbs the explosive energy, and redistributes the impact load.

Intelligent

Materials that often take inspiration from biological systems are classified as intelligent. They can act actively or passively, and they can be high- or low-tech. Porocom is short for “porous construction material.” It is an environmentally friendly product that reduces noise pollution. It consists of granules of recycled materials (such as sintered coal, ashes, clay, glass shards, eco grid) heated before being brought into contact with thermosetting powder paint. The end product is made by sintering the granules in a mold, causing them to stick together and achieve maximum hardness.

Multidimensional

A new trend highlights the z-axis in the manufacture of a variety of materials. One reason is that greater depth allows thin materials to become more structurally stable. Aero uses tightly corrugated, anodized aluminum sheets that are both flexible and formable. They are ideal for many interior applications for either geometric compositions or fluid curves. The lightweight material is sturdy enough to be used for wall and ceiling panels, yet is malleable enough to be rolled like a carpet.

Repurposed

Ultra-performing materials are those that are stronger, lighter, more durable, and more flexible than their conventional counterparts. SMI Steel makes a smartbeam, which is suited for long-span composite floor construction or long-span roof applications for architecturally exposed steel. Produced with castellated, hexagonal web openings or cellular, circular web openings, smartbeams operate most efficiently between 30- and 80-foor spans. The most common building types for smartbeams are office buildings, mezzanines, parking garages, or any application using a suspended composite floor.