Long synonymous with the world of construction, cement and cement mixers are in the popular imagination relegated to the world of sidewalks, bridges and big grey walls. Whilst there’s no denying that this is the most obvious and widely employed use of this substance and these machines, the average person might be surprised to learn the ways in which this has evolved. In today’s age the cement mixer is being used to drive new innovations in a variety of fields, from science and art to architecture. What’s more, rudimentary tools once powered by hand have, in the modern age, become high-tech marvels, with mixers being outfitted with a number of fascinating upgrades.
This article will serve as an expedition into the fascinating and innovative ways in which the cement mixer is being utilized by a number of unexpected industries. These include anything from minor use in DIY toolkits, modern art projects to marvels of science such as ‘living cement’ and 3D printed houses. What’s more, this evolution is showing no indications of halting anytime soon, promising the future even more innovative and creative cement applications.
Beyond the Basics: The Evolving Role of Mixers
For thousands of years, cement has been the gritty-grey backbone of construction, formed by early civilisation builders from rudimentary materials like gravel and volcanic ash. The very first cement mixers were humans, using their tough hands and strong backs to grind up the thick paste using primitive wooden tools. Nevertheless, the results of these labour were the marvels of the old world, of which many (such as the Parthenon or Roman aqueducts) still stand to this day, attracting visitors from all over the world.
However, in the millennia since, we’ve seen both cement and mixers evolve through continuous technological growth making these tools more powerful and versatile over time. But beyond forming the most basic component of virtually all our infrastructure, keen minds have begun to see the machines in a new light, viewing their capabilities through new lenses. This has blossomed into specialised mixers equipped with new attachments to handle more delicate material, monitor temperature and pour more precisely. This has granted the mixer the ability to create art, sculpt furniture, and even handle new scientific innovations such as bioengineered cement.
Artistic Expression: How Cement Fuels Creativity
One of the most fascinating ways in which cement mixers have been appropriated is by the world of artists. Art is an ever flowing and growing field, which prides itself on the celebration of the individual, self-expression and experimentation. Of all things, it is likely the latter most that drove certain creatives to begin experimenting with cement mixers as tools of their trade.
Enabled by innovations in cement mixer technology, allowing for more precise mixing, pouring and the handling of novel aggregates, artists began using mixers to create abstract pieces of modern art that exude an industrial, certainly gritty charm. The ability of the modern cement mixer to comfortably handle unusual aggregates has opened the door for artists to begin including crushed glass, metallic flakes and pigments into their mixture, providing a nigh endless variety of possible visual effects.
As an additional benefit, these pieces tend to be exceptionally durable, giving them not only the aesthetic of practicality, but the truth of it, making them the ideal sculpture to weather the effects of outdoor exhibitions. As it stands, there are dozens of kinds of cement artworks now populating the world, ranging from everything to quaint homemade garden gnomes to towering public monuments, providing the world with a visually striking representation of what cement is capable of.
Furniture Reinvented: Stylish Cement Designs for Modern Homes
We are quite accustomed to seeing cement around the house, having it form much of the core structure of any abode, not to mention the roads and infrastructure that surround it. But what fills the house? The modern age of aesthetic concrete has brought upon a sweeping trend of cement-based furniture. These pieces bear a distinctly industrial appearance, giving a modern but sturdy je ne sais quoi to whichever space they occupy so notably.
This is of course, enabled by the modern mixer, who struggles not at all to mix the more delicate and precise blends required to pour the perfect piece of furniture. The necessary result is a kind of cement that is lightweight, yet durable—a custom blend perfect for creating long-lasting and memorable pieces for the contemporary living space. In addition, advancements in sealing technology have enabled keen designers to apply a range of finishes that further alter or enhance the feel and appeal of cement furniture, including glossy finishes, smooth surfaces and extra-rough textures.
Browse the internet and you’ll see these pieces in abundant supply and great variety, taking the form of anything from minimalist outdoor chairs, sleek tabletops or sculptural benches, each as durable as they are striking.
DIY Wonders: Unique Home and Garden Projects with Cement
The cement mixer has been marked as a revolutionary addition to the DIY scene, weaponised by savvy homeowners and enthusiastic hobbyists. They undertake a range of projects throughout home space which may have been previously unattainable due to the level of work required. These projects might take the form of simple repairs, or clever additions like planters, garden pathways, simple furniture, stepping stones and more.
All of this has been enabled by the popularisation of small cement mixers, which are far more affordable, transportable and easy to maintain than large construction or industrial mixers. Nonetheless, a small mixer gets the job done with its precision and reliability, creating cement well suited to a variety of home projects.
Other than giving the homeowner the opportunity to express themselves with unique industrial designs in their DIY projects, owning a portable allows the homeowner to take agency over their own space. As they now have the ability to freely repair or add to their abode without needing to employ professionals or seek out products from a store.
Sustainable Solutions: Eco-Friendly Cement Innovations
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly predominant part of the Zeitgeist, driving industries worldwide to consider their place in driving our society towards a greener future. The cement industry in particular is feeling this drive, where it is the most ubiquitous construction material on the planet, its production accounts for 8% global carbon emissions. This has made it absolutely essential for the cement industry to begin looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional cement.
These changes are encouraged by several key design changes made to mixers. Notably, the ability of the modern cement mixer to measure incredibly precise ratios, handle non-conventional aggregates, and monitor internal temperature has opened the door for a number of exciting possibilities.
One of the most straightforward but effective means of reducing carbon emissions has been to use recycled aggregates instead of freshly mined material, reducing material consumption. The modern mixer can take in materials like fly ash, slag and even biologic components into concrete, helping reduce emissions without compromising durability. More complex is the introduction of carbon-capture cement, which uses stored carbon from the atmosphere to actually strengthen itself, giving this ecofriendly option even better durability than the standard.
Finally, the addition so advanced it seems sci-fi, is bioengineered ‘living’ cement. This cement contains and sustains bacterial or fungal colonies, capable of excreting the necessary components to seal up cracks as they form– open extend life span and reduce material drain.
Mixing Science and Art: Unconventional Uses of Cement
Some of the most fascinating and unique ways in which cement is being utilised, lie not in one sole industry, but in the intersection of multiple. Science, technology and art meet in cutting edge projects. Cement is being used to create freeform structures, futuristic facades, and even entire 3D printed buildings of unique shapes and textures. This line of experimentation has only opened new questions of opportunities, with NASA scientists speculating on how high-tech cement might play a part in building colonies on the Moon and Mars.
Back on earth, science and art link together with cement in a number of unique industries— with specialty ceramics, musical instruments and even fashion beginning to experiment with the creation of cement-based goods. We are all already witnessing an onrush of cement infused textiles, jewellery, and clothing, full serving dash apart our prior expectation of cement is capable of. One can only imagine what other unconventional applications are going to arise in a new generation of technology and creatives.
The Future of Cement: Trends and Technologies to Watch
Amidst a rapidly changing world, the expectations of the evolution of cement are high, promising a range of sustainable new options, more durable forms of construction and never-thought-of applications. One relevant technology already being closely watched is that of 3D printing, which has been successful in integrating cement as a material. If successful in large-scale popularisation, cement-based 3D printers will allow us to construct our homes quickly, cost effectively, and be more waste free than ever before.
We are also witnessing the rise of automated cement mixing systems, driven by artificial intelligence and equipped with IoT sensors to help free the entire mixing process of human error and make construction smarter and more efficient. By rethinking the limits of what comprises cement, we’ve already begun creating carbon-captured, self-repairing living cement, and lightweight, ultra-high-performance concrete. Not only do some of these options actually draw away carbon from the environment, but they also all represent greater convenience, safety and sustainability by virtue of their spectacular durability, significantly cutting down on the material cost of regular repair and thus being more environmentally friendly.
As it has for thousands of years now, cement will form the backbone of the construction of a new age, with technology helping it adapt to the new demands of this world.
Conclusion
Having long outgrown the singular role on the construction site, cement mixers are proving themselves and increasingly important tool in the development of our future world. Bolstered by new technology, scientists, artists, designers and more have begun employing the power of mixers for their own pursuits, leading to spectacular applications anticipated by few. These applications are myriad in their origin and use, ranging from the self-expression of artists, new furniture designs, and DIY projects, to scientific marvels such as bioengineered cement and 3D printed houses.
As new technologies continue to develop and a fresh generation of creatives and scientists is raised, we are incredibly excited to see even more spectacular cement innovations sure to arrive in the near future.
To get your hands on the very best cement mixers South Africa has to offer, don’t hesitate to visit our BS Power website and find the perfect mixer for your needs today.