Printing with earth-based materials

Entire houses can be built from clay or excavated earth. The material is cheap, abundant, and sustainable as it does not require cement. However, existing building methods are very labour-intensive, slow and therefore expensive.

ETH Zurich researchers have now developed a fast robotic printing process for earth-based materials that does not require cement. In what is known as "impact printing", a robot shoots material from above, gradually building a wall. On impact, the parts bond together, and very minimal additives are required. Unlike concrete 3D printing, the process does not require any pauses during which the material can solidify. A mixture of excavated materials, silt, and clay is currently used.