Project Grant 2153635

This $299,999 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Office of International Science and Engineering, under the International Research and Education program (CFDA 47.079), will fund the development of novel synthetic living materials to improve the construction, performance, and maintenance of buildings. Specifically, the International Partnership for Responsive Infrastructure Using Sustainable Multifunctional Materials project will leverage advances in bioinspired materials research to implement new technologies enabling buildings to sense, adapt, and respond to functional and environmental conditions. This will reduce buildings' energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The Pennsylvania State University, in partnership with the University of Freiburg, will mentor students from traditionally underrepresented groups in materials science and support research abroad, with a focus on knowledge gaps in designing, manufacturing, and characterizing living materials for sustainable, resilient, and adaptive building design. The three-year project began September 1, 2022 and aims to advance smart buildings with potential applications to other large infrastructure projects.