Álvaro Márquez, PhD candidate from the Department of Architecture of the University of Alcalá (UAH), spent three months at the Institute of Construction and Building Materials (WiB) at TU of Darmstadt, from May to July 2025, hosted by Prof. Eddie Koenders.

His stay was focused on experimental research about the design of high thermal performance cement-based mortars for 3D printing. The study included rheological tests, evaluation of fresh mechanical and physical properties and thermal performance characterization of mortar mixtures incorporating lightweight aggregates and microencapsulated bio-based phase change materials (PCM).

The results of this research in close collaboration with the WiB team provided valuable insights and knowledge for the development of sustainable bio-based materials and dynamic architectural systems using innovative construction technologies. Moreover, this collaboration provided a valuable opportunity to develop a close partnership between the research groups and to build new networks with international researchers and institutions.