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Light-Transmitting, See-Through ... Concrete?!

By Queuebot in Architecture on Mar 8, 2009 at 3:16 pm

This is real, construction-grade concrete. It is not totally transparent, but the optical fibers embedded within it allow the concrete to transmit sufficient light to allow for some interesting (and useful) applications.

The fibers can transmit light up to 50 feet, and because they take up only a small portion of the block, they do not affect the structural integrity of the building material.

Filled with optical fibers that run from one end of a poured piece of concrete to the other, these prefabricated blocks and panels effectively transmit light from one side to the other. Colors and light remain remarkably consistent from end to end, but with a natural variation from the pouring process that actually softens the effects considerably.

Link – via darkroastedblend

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Minnesotastan.

Tags: Architecture, concrete, fiberoptics, material

FROM THE NEATORAMA SHOP

Johnny Cat
Mar 8th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
What's next, transparent aluminum?
cuimhne
Mar 8th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
This is sooooooo old. Has this not been on Neatorama before?
Jed
Mar 8th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
This was on display in an exhibit about new technologies in concrete at the National Building Museum in 2004. There is quite a bit in concrete that is apparently new (or not so new) and amazing. Five years later, I have yet to see any of it work its way into actual buildings here in NYC though.
kentique
Mar 8th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
actually, transparent aluminum IS already in use by the military
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_aluminum
Snarly Boodle
Mar 8th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
The first time I "saw" transparent aluminum, it was a plot point in "Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home" - the one with the whales.

This concrete looks great. It could bring back that cool glass block look of yesteryear (dating back an entire century, in fact) in a whole new fashion.
Figo
Mar 8th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
actually, there is another transparent concrete, better and cheaper.
It was invented in México (VIVA MEXICO!!!) by a couple of students of CONACYT.

check this website.

http://concretostranslucidos.com/
Alex
Mar 8th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Yeah, Star Trek was the first thing that came to my mind when I read Johnny Cat's comment.

This transparent concrete piece sounds familiar, but I couldn't find it in Neatorama's archives.
Blackdogsong
Mar 9th, 2009 at 3:00 am
This material is really interesting and it has a higher tensile strength than normal concrete, but it is outrageously expensive in comparison which is why you won't be seeing it very often except in buildings where the owner has money to burn.
edc
Mar 9th, 2009 at 4:22 am
but at least we can save the whales.
Scooter
Mar 9th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I think I'd like some of that in my dark basement to help bring in some daylight.
just a guy
Mar 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
wouldn't that in a basement NOT let light in? because, you know, basements are underground and surrounded by dirt, and all.
Eric25001
Aug 14th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Why not use this for a roof for underground hydroponic? Eric
gowda
Feb 2nd, 2010 at 7:45 am
It is a very innovative and i am using this as my seminar topic.

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