The high-speed clay technique shaking up home construction

Tech expert Kurt Knutsson discusses how Clay’s impact printing technology enables fast, sustainable construction.
Remember those ancient clay structures from history class? Well, clay is making a grand re-entrance into the world of construction, and it’s undergone a high-tech makeover. Thanks to a cutting-edge process called impact printing, clay might just be the building material of the future.
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Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
By now, you’ve probably heard about 3D-printed concrete houses. They’re quick, cheap and produce less waste than traditional building methods. But let’s face it, concrete has its downsides. It needs time to harden, and the cement industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Enter clay, stage left.
Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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A team of clever scientists at ETH Zurich, led by Dr. Lauren Vasey, has developed a new way to build with clay. They’ve created a special mix of clay, silt and a secret ingredient (a “common waste product” from their industry partner). But here’s where it gets exciting: instead of slowly extruding the material, they shoot it at high speeds using a machine that could one day be brought right to the construction site.
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Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Picture this: Blobs of clay mixture flying through the air at speeds up to 32.8 feet per second. When these blobs hit their target, they stick together, gradually forming walls, columns or whatever structure you fancy. It’s like watching a high-speed game of clay Tetris.
Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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If you’re not into the “bunch-of-blobs” aesthetic (though it could be the next big thing in interior design), don’t worry. The researchers have thought of that, too. A robotic arm with a rotary tool can smooth out the surfaces, giving you that sleek, modern look.
Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The team at ETH Zurich isn’t stopping at simple structures. They’re working on ways to integrate supportive elements into the clay as it’s being deposited and developing fancy software to guide the construction of more complex buildings. They’re even thinking about mounting the printing rig on an autonomous excavator. Imagine a robot building your house while you sip lemonade and watch.
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Impact printing with clay (ETH Zurich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Impact printing with clay is still in its early stages, but it’s showing incredible promise. It’s fast, doesn’t require cement and uses readily available materials. Plus, it’s a sustainable alternative to concrete construction. As we face increasing pressure to reduce our carbon footprint, technologies like this could play a crucial role in the future of construction. Who knows? In a few years, you might be telling your real estate agent, “I’m looking for a nice three-bedroom, two-bath impact-printed clay home.”
After reading about impact printing technology, would you feel comfortable living in a clay house? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.