Dean John Morgan discloses name of partner in project; number of homes to be built; college hope to profit from sharing patent on mix; developer possibly interested
Although the information is less than perfect, a great deal more is now known about the Community College’s plans on how to use the $400,000 two futuristic concrete 3D printers it purchased last year. The information came to light during the January 12 Governing Board meeting.
The revelations were made only after Third District Representative Paul Chevalier initially questioned Dr. Diane Ryan, Vice President of Academic Affairs, about her report to the Board on the 3D concrete printing project. In order to respond to Mr. Chevalier more accurately, Dr. Ryan asked that Career and Technical Education Dean John Morgan explain the project.
The following is a list of some of the information provided the Board by Dean Morgan, which admittedly is sometimes a little vague. Dean Morgan noted during the discussion that there were nondisclosure agreements the Community College has agreed to abide by with its partner that may account for some of the vagueness:
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Dean Morgan reported that the Community College has partnered with Arizona Custom Concrete Homes. He described the partner as “a Local company” that is “in the Verde.”
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Although the current goal is to build only one concrete home for demonstration purposes, the Community College is adding infrastructure for at least two other homes at the Chino Valley Center in case the project is expanded in the future.
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In addition to constructing the first home on the Chino Valley Campus, there is also a project located inside the Community College’s Career and Technical Education Center at the Prescott airport where experiments for the project will take place. This is necessary, it appears, because of what Dean Morgan described as “non-disclosure agreements.” Among other matters, CIt is here that the secret formula for the concrete mix will be created.
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Dean Morgan predicted that the potential for using the 3D printers on the Verde was “very large because the builder was already going to be there.”
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It was explained that the Community College partner wants to test the feasibility of building a concrete home with the Community College “before buying a machine” that could construct one.
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The first concrete house at the Chino Valley Center is necessary for “proof of concept” so lenders can come in and “all of that,” according to Dean Morgan. He suggested lenders” and “contractors have to get on Board” before the concept is accepted.
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There is an undisclosed “developer” who is looking at the project with an eye toward building several concrete custom homes “up here once the concept is out,” said Dean Morgan.
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The Community College will be conducting research on the type of mix to use when building a concrete home. The research, according to Dean Morgan, is “in its infancy.”
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One of the experiments will involve eliminating the need to insulate concrete homes.
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Dean Morgan explained that the Community College hopes to recoup a portion of its $400,000 investment by sharing patent rights with its partner and selling the patented formula for the concrete mix that is developed to willing buyers.
You may view the entire discussion with Dean Morgan in the video clip below.
DRONE PROGRAM’S NEW LAB AT CTEC/PUSH CERTAIN PARTS OUT TO VERDE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS. The Community College Drone program took advantage of the newly finished Fab Lab at CTEC by having students design and construct their own drones using 3D printing technologies and electronics integration. The goal is to push certain parts of the drone program out to local high schools in the Verde Valley and Quad City areas.
THE HAPPY SPIRIT AT VERDE CAMPUS LIBRARY. The Verde Valley Campus Library shared the Holiday Spirit with patrons.
GROWING SWISS CHARD AND HYDROPONICS. Yavapai Community College grows superb swiss chard in its Hydroponic raft system at the Chino Valley Center.
