Radical Ceramics, 2022–24

Radical Ceramics is a new initiative at Aalto University between two schools: the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the School of Engineering. More closely, the research is done in the Department of Design and the Department of Civil Engineering. In this Radical Creativity project, we will explore clay as a material for geopolymers and the possibility of using geopolymers in the context of studio ceramics.

In the transition towards a circular economy and carbon-neutral society, the use of existing natural materials has a crucial role. However, at the expense of other productions, natural materials have become waste materials that are for example burned, buried or dumped in landfill areas. In this project, we want to focus on the use of natural materials in the context of technical geology and studio ceramics. The specific investigation is the potential of geopolymers made from local soil.

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers produced largely from natural geomaterials (clays, mineral powders) at low temperatures. Outcomes of geopolymerization process are ceramic-like materials and binders for green concrete. Due to the low thermal treatment, carbon dioxide emissions are small, and the process enables building using local secondary and waste materials.

The material development of geopolymers

In this project, ENG-team will research the use of local waste soils and local crushed waste rock fractions by studying the hardening processes in microscopic and laboratory-scale during geopolymerization and application as binding agents (SCMs).

Collaboration with ARTS experts from the Department of Design will provide means to test the materials on a studio scale and to seek mechanical and physical properties for breakthroughs in the material workability. Materials will be tested mainly with 3D printing technologies and in addition with other studio methods such as casting and moulding the materials.

Geopolymers in studio ceramics

In addition to materials’ mechanical and physical properties, the project investigates the visual and aesthetical use of geopolymers through creative practice in ceramics. The testing of the geopolymers is done with small and medium scale 3D printing as well creating test pieces that is common practice in ceramics to examine the material potentials and qualities.

Ceramics is essentially fired earth. The firing process transforms the clay minerals into a crystalline structure enabling the making of hard and durable objects. However, firing ceramics demands a lot of energy and creates emissions. The main quality of ceramics is durability, and this is gained by firing the clay from a malleable substance to solid hard material. With the use of geopolymers, there is a possibility to produce artefacts that remain unfired. This alone decreases the use of energy and emissions caused by firing ceramics. This impact can radically change the ways ceramics is perceived as fired artefacts opening the field towards unfired artefacts. From this perspective, the potential of geopolymers is investigated in the studio context by the ARTS-team.

Events and activities

Designs for a Cooler Planet · September 6th – October 6th 2023 · Espoo, Finland

Radical Ceramics was featured as a part of the Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland.

The annual Designs for a Cooler Planet festival showcases thought-provoking prototypes, experiments, and perspectives. The open-for-all exhibitions and events present a well-curated collection of projects designed by the Aalto Community, offering a glimpse of hope for a more sustainable future.

Designs for a Cooler Planet is an official event of Helsinki Design Week and part of the EU Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative.

The Geopolymer Camp · July 10th – 12th 2023 · Saint-Quentin, France

The Geopolymer Camp is the most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, organized by the Geopolymer Institute. 

In July of 2023 Lennart, one of the team members, attended the fifteenth Geopolymer Camp in Saint-Quentin, France. At the event he presented his research for the Radical Ceramics project: “The relationship between maker, machine and material: Creative investigation of geopolymer extrusion 3D printing”.  

On the first day, a workshop is organized for all attendees who are new to the world of geopolymers. It is aimed at providing an introduction devoted to geopolymers, accompanied by laboratory demonstrations. The following two days are packed with presentations delivered by prominent members of the dynamic geopolymer community, which encompasses business pioneers, engineers, designers, architects, and academics.

It was an eye-opening experience to attend and present at the Geopolymer Camp. Everyone present openly shared information about their research and projects, which lead to interesting discussions during the coffee breaks. After the conference hours, dinners were shared between attending members and relationships were formed. We were glad to attend the event and share our research with the community and would like to return to the conference next year. 

Nordic Design Research Conference (Nordes) 2023 · June 12th – 14th 2023 · Linköping, Sweden

The first paper of the Radical Ceramics project, titled Possibilities of geopolymers for greener studio ceramics, was presented at the Nordes 2023 conference at Linköping, Sweden. As the speaker representing our team at the event was Priska Falin.

More information on the paper below at the section Publications.

Publications

The possibilities of geopolymers for greener studio ceramics (2023)

Johannes Kaarakainen, Priska Falin, Luis Huaman, Maarit Mäkelä, Nathalie Lautenbacher

The paper was submitted as full paper to the Nordes 2023 conference.

Abstract

This paper introduces initial findings from interdisciplinary project-based research concentrating on investigating the potential of using geopolymers in ceramic practices within the context of a university workshop. Geopolymers are examined from the point of view of reducing the energy consumption currently needed for studio ceramics and exploring how geopolymers could be used as part of ceramic production and education. The initial findings show that the ceramic workshop and the basic raw materials used for ceramics are applicable when making geopolymers. A material hardened through geopolymerisation can be produced with lower energy consumption compared to traditional processes in ceramics. However, the qualities and the nature of geopolymers are not equal to ceramics, which can limit the usage of geopolymers within the context of ceramics but also create promising possibilities for further research. This study opens the discussion on using geopolymers within creative practices.

Download paper

The project in media

Cutting the Carbon out of Concrete in Aalto University Magazine, Issue 33 · 2023

Read online version

Project team

Relevant reading

Davidovits, J., Huaman, L. & Davidovits, R. (2019). Ancient geopolymer in south-American monument. SEM and petrographic evidence. Materials Letters, 235, 120–124.

Härmä, P., Pokki, J., Ikävalko, O., Pullinen, A., Leveinen, J., Sahala, L., Räisänen, M. & Kuula-Väisänen, P. (2010). Rakentaminen ja kiviainekset - tuotteita ylijäämästä (RAKI-projekti) [Construction and aggregates - products from the surplus] In: Inkeröinen, J. & Alasaarela, E. (eds)
Uusiomateriaalien käyttö maanrakentamisessa: Tuloksia UUMA-ohjelmasta 2006-2010. [The use of recycled materials in land reclamation: Results from a UUMA-project] Helsinki: Ministry of the Environment