Michele Zanini

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Michele Zanini is a leading researcher at the intersection of digital fabrication and sustainable construction, specializing in robotic 3D printing of lightweight, cement-free building components. His work focuses on developing mineral foams—including geopolymer-based formulations—to create insulating, material-efficient structural elements. Zanini’s major contributions include pioneering the robotic 3D printing of mineral foam for a lightweight composite concrete slab, demonstrating how additive manufacturing can reduce material use and dead weight in concrete-framed buildings. His most-cited paper (2022, 19 citations) showcases this breakthrough, while a subsequent study (2023, 11 citations) extends the approach to geopolymer foams, emphasizing reduced embodied energy and hazardous labor. By replacing conventional monolithic slabs with digitally fabricated, foam-core alternatives, Zanini’s research directly addresses the construction industry’s need for lower operational energy and material waste. His work has been recognized for its potential to transform building practices, offering a scalable path toward more sustainable, lightweight, and insulating architectural elements. For students and researchers, Zanini exemplifies how robotics and material science can converge to reimagine the future of low-carbon construction.