The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Texas A&M University $3.47 million to support a project to 3D print hemp-based building materials known colloquially as hempcrete, with a focus on creating affordable housing.<\/p>\n
The plan is to utilize the crop in environmentally sustainable engineering projects using 3D printing technology. It\u2019s one of the latest examples of the federal government embracing the potential of the form of the cannabis plant that was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.<\/p>\n
Funding is being made available through DOE\u2019s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Harnessing Emissions into Structures Taking Inputs from the Atmosphere (HESTIA) program.<\/p>\n
As noted in a press release from A&M\u2019s engineering department, hempcrete is made from a mix of hemp powder, fibers, lime and water. It\u2019s considered to be a durable but lightweight alternative to traditional building materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile production of conventional construction materials such as concrete requires large amounts of energy and releases large amounts of CO2 (carbon dioxide), hempcrete is a net carbon-negative material, which can provide major environmental benefits,\u201d Petros Sideris, an assistant professor at the university who will serve as the project\u2019s principal investigator, said.<\/p>\n
\nTwo faculty members, Manish Dixit and Wei Yan are on a project team which recently received $3.74 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to research the development of 3-D printed buildings made of hempcrete. https:\/\/t.co\/pdt0SxKd6s<\/a> @TAMUEngineering<\/a> @TAMU<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 TAMU Architecture (@TAMUARCH) June 27, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cHempcrete has excellent fire resistance and thermal insulating properties that can reduce heating and cooling energy demands. It is water-resistant and offers good acoustic properties,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cThe advancements of this project will contribute to the U.S. maintaining its worldwide leadership in advanced construction methods and infrastructure sustainability and resilient technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced last year that it was awarding a Washington State-based company a $100,000 grant to support the development of\u00a0sustainable bricks made from industrial hemp<\/a>.<\/p>\n
DOE is separately sponsoring a project to develop hemp fiber insulation<\/a>\u00a0that\u2019s designed to be better for the environment and public health than conventional preparations are, the agency announced late last year.<\/p>\n
Interest in the potential of hemp and its constituents has spread far and wide since the crop\u2019s federal legalization.<\/p>\n
For example, the Florida Agriculture Department on Tuesday announced eight winners from students grades 5-11 who submitted essays on innovative uses for hemp<\/a> as part of an annual \u201cAgricultural History and Creativity\u201d contest. The contest stood out for its focus on the cannabis plant\u2019s alternative, sustainable uses<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, House Appropriations Committee leaders have included multiple, related provisions in recent spending bill reports that encourage the exploration of hemp as an environmentally sustainable alternative to plastics<\/a>. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), a member of the panel and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has been championing the issue, his office told Marijuana Moment.<\/p>\n
\nBipartisan Lawmakers File Marijuana Banking Amendment To Must-Pass Defense Bill In Latest Reform Push<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.<\/em><\/p>\n
The post Feds Fund Development Of Hemp-Based, 3D-Printed Materials To Build Affordable Housing<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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