Project

Industial-Scale Prototyping, Validation and Demonstration of a Magnetic Device for Active Rheology Control of Concrete During Pumping

Acronym
RheoMag
Code
F2021/IOF-Advanced/083
Duration
01 April 2022 → 31 March 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Industrial Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Building technology
Keywords
3D printing active control of rheology concrete rheology fresh concrete pumping magnetic field pumping
 
Project description

This project will lead to significant progress in the valorization of Rheomag, a magnetic technology providing on-demand rheology control of cementitious materials while pumping or extruding, bringing it from TRL3 to TRL6. The goals include technology validation in lab environment at mortar scale (TRL4), engineering design and validation of a responsive concrete mixture and industrial-scale prototype at concrete level (TRL5), and demonstration in industrial environment (concrete plant or precast factory) (TRL6). In addition, data obtained in lab validation will support the intended patent filling of the RheoMag IDF. Overall, the project will lead to the development of an industrial-scale prototype as suggested in the conclusions of the market analysis regarding RheoMag performed in the previous ConcepTT project (F2019/IOF-ConcepTT/284). The project is a preparatory track for a subsequent Stepstone application aiming for the set-up of a spin-off combined with license deals with industrial partners, already identified within the available market analysis.