The Wrocław University of Technology stall has been distinguished as one of the three most interesting and innovative at the 28th “TARBUD” International Construction Expo that was held in Hala Stulecia (“Centennial Hall”).
A total of 255 companies and institutions from the construction, installation, gardening, and automotive sectors had their stalls at the fair, including Wrocław University of Technology, which presented the activities of five scientific circles from the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering, and Faculty of Chemistry. “We were visited by many people really interested in our work. We present projects, organize competitions of civil engineering knowledge for young people interested in studying at our University, and hand out publicity materials.” – said Filip Szmiłyk, President of the Student Government at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the manager of the stall. “The exhibits that attract the most attention are the 3D printers and a wall made of cardboard. A few companies were interested in the activities of the ‘Active Constructors’ scientific circle and especially the Students Construction Expo and Steel Bridges Competition, organized by them.”
The “EtaKsi” scientific circle presented a part of an exterior wall made of cardboard. It consists of layers of thermal-insulating paper materials – the so-called “honeycomb” often applied as insulation in internal door. All the structure elements are also made of cardboard, e.g. a set of angle brackets, usually used to protect furniture or household appliances during transportation. The other project presented at the stall was a model of scene roofing made of cardboard sleeves. Such a sleeve achieves compression strength parameters on par with concrete, as the yield strength of the material is 25 MPa.
The “LabDigiFab” circle presented its two latest 3D printers. Krystian Polański, a 5th grade student of Architecture, said: “Our new printer Zimorf, developed in cooperation with students of Control Engineering and Robotics, and Computer Science, is among the leading products available on the Polish market, mainly because of its operational capabilities. In our design it is possible to change particular parts, also the tips are changeable. It can print using plastics, as well as chocolate. Instead of an extruder that ‘spits’ with plastics and layer after layer produces the expected shape, you can use milling tips that will give the required shape to the workpiece provided.”
The “KIWON” circle from the Faculty of Chemistry convinced the visitors to use the gasification process as an interesting alternative for traditional methods of household heating. “It may reach energy efficiency amounting to 90%.” – says Martyna Bury, President of the circle – “In such gasifying furnaces, it’s possible to use not only coal or qualified steam coal (the so-called ekogroszek - “ecopea”) but also biomass. It is important, however, to take its moisture content into consideration. The best effects are attained at 20% moisture. The cost of such a furnace is 5-8 thousand PLN but it repays quite quickly as the efficiency of the furnace is higher.”
The fair lasted from 28th to 30th March, until 5:00 PM
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Translation: Dariusz Więcławski
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