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3D-Printed glass bricks aim to replace concrete in modular builds.
MIT engineers have developed 3D-printable glass bricks that rival the strength of concrete blocks. They’re targeting modular construction with their innovative product as an ideal solution for incorporating these sustainable materials into adaptable, efficient building designs. The 3D printer uses molten glass, and the bricks can be reused indefinitely.
“We’re taking glass and turning it into masonry that, at the end of a structure’s life, can be disassembled and reassembled into a new structure,” explained Kaitlyn Becker, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. The innovation may well offer a solution to reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint, with the glass bricks being fully recyclable and reusable.
Michael Stern, a former MIT graduate student, led the project using Evenline’s technology. “Glass as a structural material kind of breaks people’s brains a little bit,” Stern commented. “We’re showing this is an opportunity to push the limits of what’s been done in architecture.” His team’s vision is to incorporate the glass bricks into modular construction projects, reducing both embodied carbon and material waste.
The bricks, shaped like figure eights, are designed for versatility. They can be interlocked like LEGO blocks, allowing for easy assembly and dismantling of buildings. “With the figure-eight shape, we can constrain the bricks while also assembling them into walls that have some curvature,” noted Daniel Massimino, co-researcher at MIT. The flexibility of these bricks in terms of shape and design makes them ideal for modular applications, where rapid assembly is crucial.
Glass bricks are also tested for strength. Despite the material’s fragile reputation, they performed impressively, withstanding pressure similar to traditional concrete blocks. The added interlocking features boost the structural integrity, making them suitable for larger-scale construction projects.
Their work suggests a shift in how modular construction can integrate sustainable materials like glass. Becker emphasised, “As long as it’s not contaminated, you can recycle glass almost infinitely,” making it an ideal material for circular construction models where sustainability is a core principle.
Stern also envisions a future where entire buildings are designed to be easily deconstructed and reassembled, reducing the environmental impact of demolition and new builds. “We’re thinking about the lifecycle of structures,” Stern added, “and modular construction with these glass bricks offers a pathway to genuinely sustainable development.”
