The project has been funded under the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator Program Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges.
The project is titled “Designing for Circular Economics: Creating Impact from Local Plastic Waste Using Off-Grid Containerized 3D Printers and Practice-Based Learning.”
University of Wollongong will be part of this project. It says its teams will work on the net zero aspect of creating a net-zero footprint, scalable, portable, 3D printing-based manufacturing platform that is accessible and comfortable to use. The system can also be easily moved between construction sites.
According to the UOW, the goal of the project is to create furnished homes that are both sustainable and functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing. This will have a significant socioeconomic impact.
Imagine a world that encourages the sustainable production of furnished homes from local plastic waste.
Project lead Dr Aziz Ahmed, a lecturer in Structural Engineering in the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the UOW, is part of an international cross-disciplinary team focused on finding a solution to the “scourge of plastic” and further integrating the material into the circular economy.
Dr. Ahmed works in a Texas-based social venture re:3D. The cross-disciplinary team includes researchers from Austin Habitat for Humanity (UTA), The University of Texas at Austin, and Western Sydney University.
Commenting on the project, Dr Ahmed, said: “Imagine a world that supports the sustainable manufacturing of furnished homes using local plastic waste, while not only diverting garbage from landfills but also creating jobs and training under-represented talent.
“What if this opportunity could be scaled globally in both rural and urban areas in a modular package?
“I am very excited for the opportunity to work on such a visionary project, and even more so as it is under the umbrella of National Science Foundation’s Convergence accelerator program, which aims to accelerate convergence research into application and commercialisation.”