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Research for climate protection: green construction

The Indian civil engineer, Sai Kala Kondepudi, develops climate-friendly building materials made of natural resources that are supposed to replace conventional cement at some stage. She sees the Humboldt Fellowship as a unique opportunity.

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Eine Frau (Sai Kala Kondepudi) mit langen schwarzen Haaren und einem blauen Pullover lächelt in die Kamera. Sie steht vor einem modernen Gebäude mit einer Glasfassade, in der sich ein Teil der Umgebung spiegelt.

The Konark Sun Temple in the Indian State of Odisha impresses the Humboldt Fellow and civil engineer, Sai Kala Kondepudi, time and again. “I’m fascinated that this temple, which was built in the 13th century, is still so intact.” The huge edifice represents a motif from Hindu mythology and symbolises the chariot with which the sun god Surya drove across the heavens pulled by seven horses. “Especially the 24 chariot wheels carved in the stone reveal an amazing use of geometry. The temple is made of a kind of granite which has preserved the intricate carvings perfectly to this day,” says Sai Kala Kondepudi.

As soon as I hear the gentle hum of my 3-d printer, I feel a sort of quite excitement. It’s wonderful to see something new taking shape.
Sai Kala Kondepudi, Humboldt Research Fellow

Research for the climate

As a Humboldt Research Fellow in the team around her host, Viktor Mechtcherine, she is working on sustainable building material design in the Institute of Construction Materials at TU Dresden. “Conventional cement-based building materials generate high greenhouse gas emissions. By developing low-carbon building materials I want to play a part in fighting climate change.” In the lab, she develops various compound construction materials from natural resources such as clay or wood ash as well as from slag, a by-product of the steel industry, and optimises them for digital building methods. “As soon as I hear the gentle hum of my 3-d printer, I feel a sort of quite excitement. It’s wonderful to see something new taking shape.”

The Humboldt Research Fellowship for researchers of all nationalities and research areas: We support you with your research in Germany. 

As a child, Kala loved drawing buildings and repairing her remote-controlled toy cars. As a young person she was fascinated by building sites. “I was very curious and wanted to know how bridges and houses are built. I was deeply impressed by observing how you mark out floorplans and combine different materials to make something solid and lasting.”

Family support

Today, she looks on this curiosity and the desire to create something as the essence of her work. “Civil engineering is all about solving practical problems. In my research I try out new things until I find a solution,” says Kala. She comes from a family that was partly involved in construction. Her father verified survey data to prepare estimates for building projects; her cousin worked in construction planning. “My family always encouraged me. My father, in particular, who sadly died last year, was my mentor and helped me through every difficult phase.” Kala was one of just a few women in her field. “It wasn’t always easy. There were times when I was confronted with doubt and scepticism. But I was surrounded by people who believed in my work and encouraged me to continue.”

My fellowship made me part of a supportive community that promotes innovation and lifelong learning. This helps both my own development and my scientific progress. Being a Humboldtian is a unique opportunity.
Sai Kala Kondepudi, Humboldt Research Fellow

Strong network

Kala thinks women in academia would be helped by “more structurally anchored mentoring programmes for women in STEM subjects and more women in leadership positions in science and industry.” To young researchers she wants to say, “Have faith in your abilities, follow your passions without hesitation! Don’t be shy about searching for mentors and building a strong network.” Just how decisive a supportive network can be on the path into science is something Kala herself has experienced – in her personal environment and as a Humboldt Fellow. “My fellowship made me part of a supportive community that promotes innovation and lifelong learning. This helps both my own development and my scientific progress. Being a Humboldtian is a unique opportunity.”

Kala will pursue her research in Dresden until October 2025 and then continue working on sustainable building materials and head her own research projects, either in Europe, Australia or in India. Before her building materials can be used in practice, appropriate legal provisions must first be established. “That is a work in progress. I am looking forward to seeing my developments being tested under real conditions on a construction site one day!” Until then, Sai Kala Kondepudi will continue her search – for climate-friendly construction materials for buildings that will last for centuries.

Text: Esther Sambale

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