Concrete Casts New Light in Dull Rooms

opticsorg writes "Stuck for decorating ideas? Then the light-transmitting concrete that is set to hit the market this year is what you could be looking for! The days of dull, grey concrete could be about to end. A Hungarian architect has combined the world's most popular building material with optical fiber from Schott to create a new type of concrete that transmits light. A wall made of 'LitraCon' allegedly has the strength of traditional concrete but thanks to an embedded array of glass fibers can display a view of the outside world, such as the silhouette of a tree, for example."

Comments

Chernobyl

[AtariAmarok]

Then the light-transmitting concrete that is set to hit the market this year

I see some huckster has found a clever way to get rid of all that Chernobyl rubble and building material.

Cool!

[smoondog]

This is pretty f'ing cool.... This is obviously going to be interesting for art projects and houses. I bet it is expensive, however, and we won't see any skyscrapers using this stuff anytime soon. (Can it be set like traditional concrete or do you buy blocks?)

-Sean

Re:Cool!

[Anonymous Coward]

>> and we won't see any skyscrapers using this stuff anytime soon.

I dunno, at least you'd be able to see the incoming planes.

One ticket to hell please... uh, one way will be fine thanks.

In a related story

[AtariAmarok]

In a related story, Packard Bell has anounced that the screens on its new portable computers will use this material. It will replace the current solid-lead screen. They are hoping to get their laptop weight below 68 lbs for the first time.

Invisible Concrete

[AtariAmarok]

I've got a better idea: Invisible Concrete! In fact, I'll build you an entire skyscraper of invisible building materials for half the cost of a conventional building.

Since the stuff does take a long time to properly cure, I'll have to request that you stay off the premises until this is complete.

In fact, if you venture past the "Caution: Invisible building construction zone tape", it will result in the immediate disintigration of the building, and I will not be held liable for the loss. (This disintegration process is silent and harmless: it is like nothing happened at all).

I'll take payment in advance.

Re:Invisible Concrete

[GerritHoll]

Finally the penultimate solution to terrorism - what you can't see, you can't blow up either ;-)

(the ultimate solution would of course be to simply rid the universe of all intelligent life forms, so in the end terrorism destroys itself)

Re:Invisible Concrete

[Ch_Omega]

If you want matching clothes, I'll get them. They're more than fit for an emperor.

It's a set-up.

[jafuser]

the light-transmitting concrete that is set to hit the market this year

Nice. Very subtle.

Re:And then come the disclaimers about the uses

[TwistedGreen]

And what about the nuclear wessels?

Finally...

[JMZero]

I can have a glass house, and throw stones with impunity.

Re:And the reverse?

[dbirchall]

Astoundingly, "shadowpuppetporn.com" is still available.

I wonder if I can work out a way to charge admission to my front yard...

Since shadowing requires the object casting the shadow to be between the light source and the viewer, this might be an interesting material for (cast, pre-stressed) roof panels. It'd let light in during the day, and at night, any lights inside, probably being near the ceiling anyway, would give the roof a glow.

transparent walls

[slobod]

Some folks already use these walls when they play quake....