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Hephaistos: Materials & building
Hephaistos
To keep things clear, Stichting SOLAR has grouped all its future projects into themes. Hephaistos covers the projects on materials & building. Below you can read what the foundation plans to research.
Who is Hephaistos? Hephaistos is the Greek god of fire and metalworking: the smith of the gods. In his forge, said to lie beneath a volcano, he made the palaces on Mount Olympus, the gods' weapons and the famous shield of Achilles. Although he was lame, he became the most skilled maker of all. Because he stands for making and building with fire and materials, he fits our projects on materials and building.
R&D into hempcrete building blocks
Stichting SOLAR researches the development and production of hempcrete building blocks as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. Hempcrete is a bio-based material made from hemp fibres and a lime-based binder. It is known for its insulating properties and low environmental impact.
The R&D programme studies how the mix, pressing pressure and curing time can be optimised to improve mechanical strength and durability. The foundation also uses practical trials to test how well the blocks work in modular building systems. By standardising production processes and automating them where possible, the foundation wants to contribute to scalable, circular building solutions with a low carbon footprint.
Making cement production more sustainable and automated
The foundation researches how to make cement production more sustainable and how to automate it. Traditional cement production is energy-intensive and responsible for significant CO₂ emissions, especially when limestone is heated in cement kilns. The R&D programme focuses on alternative binders, lowering the clinker factor and using residual materials as raw material.
The foundation also uses process automation, sensor technology and data analysis to optimise energy use and reduce emissions. We also look at electrifying production processes and using renewable energy sources. By combining technological innovation and digitalisation, we work towards a more efficient and sustainable cement industry.
Making metal smelting more sustainable with green hydrogen
Stichting SOLAR researches how to make metal smelting more sustainable by using green hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. Traditional smelting processes in the metal industry often use natural gas or coke, leading to high CO₂ emissions.
The research programme looks at how green hydrogen can be used as an energy source or reducing agent in high-temperature processes. It studies how existing furnaces can be adapted and how safety, efficiency and cost control can be ensured. By applying hydrogen technology and process optimisation, the foundation wants to contribute to a significant cut in industrial emissions and to the transition to climate-neutral metal production. We research the green hydrogen itself under Helios.
Reusing building materials
We want to research how materials from demolition and residual flows can be reused in construction. We will start small with local partners and record what works.
Comparing bio-based building materials
Besides hempcrete, we want to research how other bio-based insulation and building materials perform in construction. We will run simple trials and share the results publicly. Bio-based products and packaging fall under Persephone.
Testing materials
Together with knowledge institutions, we want to set up simple tests to see how materials and parts hold up under tough conditions. We will share the test methods and results, so they can be used at other locations too.
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Stichting SOLAR
Sustainable Off-grid Living-labs for Autonomy and Research
Pijnacker, the Netherlands
Chamber of Commerce (KvK) 42111679 · RSIN 869783786
contact@stichting.solar · +31 6 20 19 15 12
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