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Technology is changing faster than our ability to make sense of it, yet much of it is geared towards dealing with an uncertain future. Each episode of this series curates one genius moment being developed now to improve our lives tomorrow.

Living algae facades cover buildings, sucking in CO2 and sun to produce renewable energy

Emmet Smith

The world's first bio-reactive facade, where glass panels cultivate microalgae to produce renewable energy, was unveiled on a residential building in Hamburg, Germany in 2013. 

Since then, the technology has significantly improved, making the facade system an integral part of a building project that automatically provides heat and warm water.

Mashable and Arup are working together to showcase innovations from around the world that help make construction more sustainable.

Next Up

  2. This Lego-like house was constructed entirely out of cork

    This Lego-like house was constructed entirely out of cork

    Oct 26, 2020
  3. This exquisite silk structure was spun by 17,532 silkworms

    This exquisite silk structure was spun by 17,532 silkworms

    Oct 16, 2020
  4. Like underwater rainforests, vertical farms grow crops sustainably and rebuild ecosystems

    Like underwater rainforests, vertical farms grow crops sustainably and rebuild ecosystems

    Oct 06, 2020
  5. Flying snakes are able to glide across the air like acrobats. Here’s how they do it.

    Flying snakes are able to glide across the air like acrobats. Here’s how they do it.

    Jul 22, 2020
  6. These ingenious portholes can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions in hospitals

    These ingenious portholes can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions in hospitals

    Jun 25, 2020
  7. Gaudí designed a church like no other in the 19th century. But it's 21st century tech that will see it finished.

    Gaudí designed a church like no other in the 19th century. But it's 21st century tech that will see it finished.

    Jun 16, 2020
  8. Adding parcel trains to subway systems can reduce pollution and congestion in cities

    Adding parcel trains to subway systems can reduce pollution and congestion in cities

    Jun 08, 2020
  9. Electric ship sets sustainable tourism standard, eliminating noise and pollution

    Electric ship sets sustainable tourism standard, eliminating noise and pollution

    May 29, 2020
  10. 'Cyborg botany' is a process that turns plants into electronic devices

    'Cyborg botany' is a process that turns plants into electronic devices

    Jun 26, 2019
  11. This waste-to-energy plant doubles as a ski slope

    This waste-to-energy plant doubles as a ski slope

    Jan 11, 2019
  12. This ferry can sail and even dock all by itself

    This ferry can sail and even dock all by itself — Genius Moments

    Jan 02, 2019
  13. This robot is training to become a construction worker

    This robot is training to become a construction worker — Genius Moments

    Nov 07, 2018
  14. This refugee camp has an inclusive playground that children with disabilities can enjoy

    This refugee camp has an inclusive playground that children with disabilities can enjoy — Genius Moments

    Nov 02, 2018
  15. This bike path paves the way for future roads made from recycled plastic

    This bike path paves the way for future roads made from recycled plastic — Genius Moments

    Oct 31, 2018
  16. These photos captured through a lens made of 10,000-year-old ice are eerily beautiful

    These photos captured through a lens made of 10,000-year-old ice are eerily beautiful — Genius Moments

    Oct 26, 2018
  17. Researchers have found the oldest intact shipwreck in the Black Sea

    Researchers have found the oldest intact shipwreck in the Black Sea — Genius Moments

    Oct 24, 2018
  18. There's a robot dog empire in the making and Boston Dynamics has some worthy competitors

    There's a robot dog empire in the making and Boston Dynamics has some worthy competitors – Genius Moments

    Oct 17, 2018
  19. Boston Dynamics 'parkour' robot took more than 20 attempts to nail it

    Boston Dynamics 'parkour' robot took more than 20 attempts to nail it

    Oct 15, 2018
  20. How an artist is making acoustic electronic music using robots

    How an artist is making acoustic electronic music using robots

    Oct 11, 2018
  21. This farm, run entirely by robots, uses 90% less water than traditional farms

    This farm, run entirely by robots, uses 90% less water than traditional farms

    Oct 05, 2018
  22. How microscopes are opening a door into an invisible universe brimming with life

    How microscopes are opening a door into an invisible universe brimming with life — Genius Moments

    Oct 03, 2018
  23. This fully edible food packaging material is the product of bacterial fermentation

    This fully edible food packaging material is the product of bacterial fermentation

    Sep 28, 2018
  24. How electric vehicles could store renewable energy to power entire cities

    How electric vehicles could store renewable energy to power entire cities

    Sep 28, 2018
  25. This plastic fishing company is making office furniture out of plastic waste

    This plastic fishing company is making office furniture out of plastic waste

    Aug 22, 2018
  26. This design studio is growing gourds inside 3D printed molds to create organic, biodegradable cups

    This design studio is growing gourds inside 3D printed molds to create organic, biodegradable cups

    Aug 15, 2018
  27. How a lightweight, prefabricated concrete roof is just a taste of the coming revolution in architecture

    How a lightweight, prefabricated concrete roof is just a taste of the coming revolution in architecture

    Aug 13, 2018
  28. This woman is cleaning up the streets by turning old chewing gum into new rubber objects

    This woman is cleaning up the streets by turning old chewing gum into new rubber objects

    Jul 11, 2018
  29. Turning landfill-bound makeup into sustainable watercolor paints

    Turning landfill-bound makeup into sustainable watercolor paints

    Jun 20, 2018
  30. Biophysicist who brought MRI into video age awarded European Inventor Award

    Biophysicist who brought MRI into video age awarded European Inventor Award

    Jun 07, 2018
  31. European city to 3D print world first housing project

    European city to 3D print world first housing project

    Jun 05, 2018
  32. Robots can build entire cities almost for free. These architects are making it happen.

    Robots can build entire cities almost for free. These architects are making it happen.

    May 29, 2018
  33. Madeline Gannon is known as the "robot tamer" — she teaches giant industrial monsters to follow her every command

    Madeline Gannon is known as the "robot tamer" — she teaches giant industrial monsters to follow her every command

    May 16, 2018
  34. These bricks are made out of desert sand, but are as strong as concrete

    These bricks are made out of desert sand, but are as strong as concrete

    May 10, 2018
  35. The era of the supermarket's over. Thank these gigantic robot warehouses for that.

    The era of the supermarket's over. Thank these gigantic robot warehouses for that.

    May 03, 2018
  36. It takes absolute precision to construct Earth's largest telescope, which will peak into far-off alien worlds

    It takes absolute precision to construct Earth's largest telescope, which will peak into far-off alien worlds

    Apr 27, 2018
  37. House that can be built in a day is 30 times more affordable than a Beijing apartment

    House that can be built in a day is 30 times more affordable than a Beijing apartment

    Nov 08, 2017

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