A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania developed Diamanti, a 3D-printed bridge that combines biomimetic design, absorbent materials, and smart modularity to drastically reduce its environmental impact.
Porous geometry and carbon capture: a new way of thinking about concrete
The Diamanti project is not limited to improving the concrete mix: it revolutionizes its geometry. Inspired by the porous structure of human bones, it uses patterns known as triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), which distribute the load without needing to be completely solid. This allows for:
- Reducing weight by 60% without losing strength
- Increasing the exposed surface area, enhancing the ability to absorb CO₂ by up to an additional 30%
Moreover, the mix used absorbs 142% more CO₂ than conventional concrete, thanks to the incorporation of diatomaceous earth, a siliceous and porous material formed by fossil remains of microalgae.
This component not only replaces part of the cement, reducing the carbon footprint, but also creates micropores that capture carbon dioxide throughout the material’s lifespan.
Robotic manufacturing and modular assembly: efficiency at every stage
The bridge is constructed in robotically printed modules, which are then assembled on-site using tension cables. This strategy allows for:
- Reducing steel usage by 80%
- Cutting construction costs by 25% to 30%
- Decreasing energy consumption and emissions by 25%
After successfully testing a 5-meter prototype, the team built a 10-meter version, currently exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025. Although the initial goal was to install it in Venice, a regulatory change led to relocate the project to France, where the first full-scale functional bridge is expected to be built.
Urban applications and replicable vision of the 3D-printed bridge
Digital visualizations have been developed showing how Diamanti could integrate into urban environments, including proposals for the Seine River in Paris. Additionally, the team is working on prefabricated flooring systems and other architectural applications that leverage the same porous structures and absorbent materials.
“It’s not about a magic solution, but a new way of thinking about concrete,” says Masoud Akbarzadeh, project leader.
Key aspects of the Diamanti approach: architecture that breathes
- Biomimetic design: learning from nature to reduce material without sacrificing safety
- 3D printing: custom manufacturing, without waste or formwork
- Less cement, more intelligence: biomaterials like diatomaceous earth turn concrete into a carbon sink
- Scalable modularity: ideal for dense urban areas or regions with limited infrastructure
- Replicable applications: from social housing to public spaces and low-cost rural works
Diamanti is more than a bridge: it is a symbol of how science, technology, and design can work together to build more resilient, efficient, and conscious cities.
In a context of accelerated urbanization and climate emergency, this type of innovation paves the way for an architecture that not only connects spaces but also solutions for a more habitable planet.
