Cement, Concrete: Has Gone High Tech +

(architects are using stylish high-tech concrete to create beautiful and greener buildings)

acoustic (adjective) (not comparable)
Pertaining to something that is designed to absorb or to control sound: The acoustic> walls in the offices were built for soundproofing so as not to hear what was said in the next room.
comparable (adjective), more comparable, most comparable
Referring to something that shows similarities and differences with another or others: At the zoo, Mary asked her mother if the elephant was comparable to a double-decker bus or to a blimp.
density (s) (noun), densities (pl)
Mass per unit of volume: In astronomy, the mean relative density compares a planet's density with the density of water, 62.4 pounds per cubic foot or one gram per cubic centimeter.

Density is also the thickness of consistency or is impenetrable.

Density can be the complexity of structure or content.

In addition,density is a measure of how tightly mass is packed into a given space.

efficient (adjective), more efficient, most efficient
Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort: A washing machine is quite efficient because it washes the clothes is less time that it would take by doing it all by hand.
flexibility (s) (noun), flexibilities (pl)
The situation of being responsive to change; adaptable; adjustability; versatility: Jane's week was full of different activities, like sports, school, and music lessons, so her schedule didn't allow for much flexibility.
insulate (verb), insulates; insulated; insulating
To prevent the passage of heat, electricity, or sound into or out of, especially by surrounding something with a nonconducting material: The roof of the house had to be insulated in order to protect it from the very cold winters with lots of snow.
intrinsically (adverb), more intrinsically, more intrinsically
1. Relating to, or referring to, how something is essential presented: Susan found out while studying the German language that it was certainly intrinsically difficult!.
2. Descriptive of how something or someone exists as an essential constituent or characteristic: Great and famous doctors are intrinsically connected with great hospitals.
property (s) (noun), properties (pl)
An essential distinguishing characteristic of something: Marc learned that the tarp, or tarpaulin, that he bought had the properties of being very heavy and waterproof and so it was very good for covering the pile of wood.
thermal
Intended or designed in such a way as to help retain heat.

A new kind of cement or concrete has been developed that is said to have strong aesthetic appeal and a sensuality which evokes images of white minerality

The new concrete is not the cheap, gray, easily cracked, soulless stuff that gave urbanization a bad name when it was used over Western cities in the 1960s, but a new bright and still relatively expensive concrete that has come onto the market this decade.

High-performance or ultra-high performance concrete, as it is known in the industry, is up to ten times stronger than regular concrete.

Although, pound-for-pound, it costs several times more than regular concrete, industry officials say price comparisons are misleading because the high-tech versions have different properties that make them more comparable to materials; such as, stainless steel or aluminum; which are often even more expensive.

The latest kind of concretes have other advantages, including setting much faster which gives architects, engineers, and builders far greater flexibility to use the material's long-lasting, thermal and acoustic properties in everything from pedestrian bridges to bus stations; and, in turn, contributing to big energy and other environmental savings.

Stronger concrete translates into significant gains for the environment because it can be used more thinly and consumes considerably fewer raw materials than regular concrete.

In addition, concrete has some properties that make it intrinsically energy-efficient when used in buildings. It insulates well because it doesn't let in wind and water.

Its density also means it stores heat during the day and releases it at night, enabling savings on air conditioning and heating; architects are playing with such possibilities as they design their new buildings.

—Compiled from excerpts as written in
"Building Materials, Cementing the Future" by Peter Gumbel;
Time; December 15, 2008; pages 50-51.

You will find the definitions of the words in bold as shown in this article at the top of this page.

See more topics of interest at this INDEX of Words at Work in the Media.