Fungi-grown insulation and AI-powered construction management systems among 2021 COINS Grand Challenge finalists

Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) has announced the 12 finalists of its 2021 COINS Grand Challenge, a global competition that celebrates innovation and ideas that could improve the built environment and construction industry. 

Split into two entry categories, professional (Open Competition) and student (Undergraduate Competition), this year’s shortlist includes finalists from Sri Lanka, India, Russia, UK, Canada, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe. Their ideas range from innovative insulation materials made from fungi to automated structural design software for timber buildings.

“Every year the number and quality of entries for the Grand Challenge gets stronger and stronger,” said COINS CEO Robert Brown. “It’s great to see the level of interest in new and emerging technology in the construction industry continue to grow.”

Here is the complete list of 2021 COINS Grand Challenge finalists.

UNDERGRADUATE COMPETITION FINALISTS:

Bacteria-Based Concrete by Abhishek Kumar Patra, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
"Bacteria-based concrete utilizes limestone-producing bacterial spores, which get activated when cracks are formed, and the spores are exposed to air and moisture. The bacteria consume calcium acetate and produce limestone crystals that fill the crack. CO2-removal qualities can be given by using cyanobacteria which have chlorophyll and act like plants."

Advanced Analytics, AI and Blockchain-based Construction Supply Chain Management System by Mufaro Gomera, University of the Witwatersrand 
"Our idea is a platform powered by artificial intelligence that eliminates costly supply chain inefficiencies in procurement, logistics, and back-office activities. Our mission is to create a platform that automates virtually every supply chain function, including demand forecasting, product procurement, scheduling, carrier logistics, driver dispatching, and invoicing."

Auto Inflatable Safety Jacket by Chalana Gunathilaka, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka 
"This is a wearable jacket around the body. During an instant or accidental falling of a human from a height, it is identified by the sensor. Then jacket is inflated instantly around the body to minimize the impacts to the spinal cord and other body parts from severe injuries."

Energy Management for Construction by Arvianto Nugroho, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology 
"A system to manage energy consumption during construction and operation of a building. Using an optimization algorithm, the system can give an optimized schedule of load operation based on Real-Time Pricing (RTP) fluctuation. This will both increase energy efficiency and reduce the total electricity bills from the construction."

Waste to Energy by Roshan M Naik, Goa University
"We are working on decentralizing waste management by building a reactor system which will convert plastic into energy."

Averto - A Fast and Quick Emergency Response to Workplace Accidents by Rohan Ghosalkar and Deepti Shetty, (Rohan) V.E.S. Institute of Technology, Chembur; (Deepti) National Institute of Design, Kurukshetra, India
"Averto, an IoT-based device, is a low-cost, convenient and cutting-edge solution for minimizing and mitigating the danger of life-threatening injuries caused by incidents involving falls or collapsing scaffoldings. Using Machine Learning, we increase the efficacy of detecting a fall and will identify an accident even before it occurs."

OPEN COMPETITION FINALISTS:

Data-driven IoT & Predictive Software System for Improving the Wellness, Safety & Energy Efficiency During Construction & Across the Building Lifecycle — Natalia Mykhaylova, CEO, WeavAir
"Proactive end-to-end solution for air distribution systems that prevents the spread of contamination and infection, while reducing operational and maintenance costs."

Automating Structural Timber Design — Mario Selvaraj, Co-Founder/Head of Product, DAISY
"DAISY (Design AI SYstems) is the first of its kind, automated tool for structural design of timber buildings. DAISY allows structural engineers and architects to find the most optimal, production-ready and code compliant timber design with a click of a button. This saves cost, time and promotes sustainability."

Insulation Grown from Waste and Fungi — Valentina Dipietro, Founder, Mykor Ltd
"Mykor is an award-winning company developing sustainable building materials. Our custom-engineered insulation is highly performative, carbon-negative, and feels and performs like foam. This is beneficial for stakeholders needing to comply with embodied and operational carbon regulations and for the planet, as our renewable products are made with forestry waste and fungi."

A SMART Device to Prevent Formwork Overload — Kaz Hayat, Managing Director, Trent Energy Limited
"Loadtag is a SMART device that will monitor live loads on formwork during concrete pouring to help prevent overloading and potentially catastrophic failure. This device will provide a safer working environment for those involved in the construction industry and the wider public affected by the works."

High-Density Gypsum is Becoming the New Main Building Material — Igor Stavrulov, CEO & Founder, AMATEC LLC
"We created high-density gypsum technology. It allows us to use gypsum as the main building material instead of the Big 4 (concrete, ceramics, steel and wood). Gypsum has the lowest CO2 footprint and is completely recyclable. Our technology allows us to build 10 times faster, 2 times cheaper, better, more durable and greener!"

No More Dust from Drilling — Alan Gillett, Director, DrillBuddy UK Ltd
"The XtraHand is a universal hands free vacuum attachment that works with all drill bit types on all flat surfaces and effectively removes dangerous airborne dust particles along with any larger debris when drilling holes."

The winners will be announced on September 30th. More details about the competition can be accessed here.