AWARD YEAR
2017
CATEGORY
Work
GOALS
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
KEYWORDS
3D PRINT, Lightweight Material, Construction
COUNTRY
France
DESIGNED BY
Autodesk, Airbus and APWorks - The Living and An Autodesk Studio
WEBSITE
http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/story-overview/Pioneering-bionic-3D-printing.html
Bionic Partition
A new way of building airplanes, that could greatly reduce fuel use and carbon emissions
The Bionic Partition is a wall that separates an airplane’s seating area from the galley—but it’s not just any old wall. Using the complex 2D patterns of growing slime mold as a model for its geometric design, the 3D-printed structure is almost half as light as current models, with a cutout for emergency stretcher access and a fold-down seat for flight attendants. The lower weight reduces fuel use and carbon emissions, resulting in a major financial and environmental boon. Airbus has committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% until 2050. This collaboration is a step in the right direction, and could have a great impact in the future of commercial air travel.