Lightweight Building Blocks Inspired by Spherical Membranes

Innovation: Industry

Pneumocell

2008

Prevent Deformation

When a living system undergoes compression, tension, shear, bending, or twisting, its internal inter-molecular forces can often resist these forces and even change shape temporarily, returning to the original shape when the forces stop. However, if the force is too strong or lasts too long, permanent deformation or structural failure can occur, resulting in death. Therefore, living systems have strategies to resist deformation or help ensure limited deformation. For example, bones have thin crystals and proteinaceous fibers that provide strength and flexibility, protecting them from forces that would otherwise cause deformation on a daily basis.

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Optimize Shape/Materials

Resources are limited and the simple act of retaining them requires resources, especially energy. Living systems must constantly balance the value of resources obtained with the costs of resources expended; failure to do so can result in death or prevent reproduction. Living systems therefore optimize, rather than maximize, resource use. Optimizing shape ultimately optimizes materials and energy. An example of such optimization can be seen in the dolphin’s body shape. It’s streamlined to reduce drag in the water due to an optimal ratio of length to diameter, as well as features on its surface that lie flat, reducing turbulence.

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Brochures

Pneumocell Information in German
14.8 MB PDF

WO2006053363A1
1.1 MB PDF

Pneumocells are inflatable building materials that join together in a specific sequence to create a high performance structure.

Benefits

Reduced materials
Rapid assembly
Lightweight

Applications

Commercial and residential buildings
Temporary housing

UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities

The Challenge

Building materials can be costly, heavy, and made of materials that are not environmentally friendly.

Innovation Details

Pneumocells are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a 100% recyclable material. The pneumocells join together in a specific sequence to create a high performance structure, inspired by the way biological cells come together to form stable structures. Because they are inflatable, they use minimal materials and take up a very small amount of space prior to final assembly. The structures can be rapidly assembled in varying shapes and sizes. Single damaged components can be easily replaced, imparting substantial resilience on the structure.

Biological Model

In many biological cells, similar to the cells of bee honeycombs and bubbles of all kinds, the outer surface of each cell or bubble forms a sphere, whereby the pressure in the membrane is minimized and is equivalent in all places. The larger the diameter of the sphere, the larger the outer tension under the same air pressure. When cell- or bubble-based constructions are divided into a series of cells that distribute the volume, the constructions become more stable and less sensitive to pressure. Biological cells utilize this principle and Pneumocell uses the same concept.