Biodegradable composites for the building industry

Our research will focus on evaluating bio-composites, a new class of construction material that has reduced energy costs and pollution from production as well as greater resource potential after demolition. With our combined expertise in structural engineering, environmental engineering and composite materials, we will investigate a variety of bio-composites in terms of biodegradability and mechanical performance. We will identify where bio-composites can best be used in the building industry today and what fundamental advancements are needed to facilitate more widespread application of these clean, energy-efficient and resource-rich construction materials.

Principal Investigators:

Sarah Billington Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment

Craig Criddle Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment

Perry McCarty Silas H. Palmer Professor of Civil Engineering, Emeritus

George Springer Paul Pigott Professor of Engineering, Emeritus