Researchers advance 3D printed construction and energy storage

According to Pars Today, researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology, in Iran, have announced two significant innovations—one in the field of 3D printed concrete and another in lithium battery technology—that could have wide-reaching industrial impact.

The first breakthrough addresses a major weakness in 3D printed concrete. While the technology is celebrated for its speed and precision in creating complex building structures, traditional mixes are prone to cracking and deterioration during freeze–thaw cycles in cold climates. The research team developed a new formulation incorporating an air-entrainment additive. This additive creates microscopic air bubbles within the concrete, giving it greater resistance to temperature fluctuations and significantly extending its service life. According to the team, this improvement could make 3D printed construction more viable for affordable housing and infrastructure projects in regions with harsh winters.

The second development focuses on enhancing lithium-ion batteries, which are critical for devices ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles. Over time, these batteries lose efficiency due to the build-up of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the electrodes, which reduces capacity and shortens lifespan. The Amirkabir researchers discovered that curcumin, the natural compound found in turmeric, can form a thin, stable protective coating on battery electrodes. This coating prevents harmful SEI formation, leading to improved capacity retention, longer operational life, enhanced thermal stability, and reduced production costs.

Both projects reflect a growing emphasis in Iranian research on practical, high-impact technological solutions. The enhanced concrete mix could help expand the global use of 3D printing in construction beyond mild climates, while the turmeric-based battery innovation offers a low-cost, environmentally friendly method of improving energy storage systems.

By combining traditional knowledge—such as the medicinal properties of turmeric—with modern engineering and materials science, these researchers demonstrate how cross-disciplinary approaches can produce novel solutions to industrial challenges.