A team at Oregon State University (OSU) has developed a clay-based material that could transform how we build homes and infrastructure by offering a fast-curing, eco-friendly substitute to traditional concrete. The material uses an acrylamide-based binder that hardens as it is extruded via 3D printing, enabling structures to be built without long waiting times or extensive formwork, tells Tech Xplore.
Because it cures during printing, the mixture reaches an initial “buildable strength” of about 3 MPa right after deposition, strong enough to support multilayer walls and freestanding overhangs such as roofs. Over the next three days, strength climbs past 17 MPa, reaching values comparable to those of conventional residential structural concrete (which typically requires 28 days to fully cure).
Beyond the time savings, the environmental impact is substantially lower. Cement, the binding agent in ordinary concrete, contributes roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Eliminating cement from the mix reduces that burden; a critical advantage as global construction demand skyrockets.
Another standout feature: the printed material can span unsupported gaps, e.g., the top edge of a window or a door opening, thanks to its rapid setting. That removes the need for temporary supports or molds.
For mechanical-, civil- and materials-engineering thinkers focused on sustainable construction, this development signals a major shift. Instead of waiting days or weeks for curing, builders could finish structural prints within hours or days. That opens up potential for rapid, low-carbon construction of dwellings, infrastructure, or even emergency shelters, especially in regions facing a housing crisis or disaster recovery.