Edit: Although I’m making progress in my work, I feel very stuck. I know there are proven methods to achieve the kind of goals I have (increase access to an underused tech), but it feels like I am missing some key steps. If you have suggestions how I can improve my effort, I am all ears and would appreciate the input.
I posted here a few weeks ago and have been happy with the response. As an introduction, I’m an inventor who been working for almost 3 years in an effort to improve access to foamed concrete building methods around the world, although the biggest need is in the global South, I’ve been lucky enough to finally start developing some things that could be useful to people. I’ll be happy to answer questions about the tech or the work itself if anyone has them. Briefly, foamed concrete is a lower carbon, lower cost, and better insulating alternative to traditional concrete, blocks, and bricks. It’s almost infinitely configurable for either insulation and strength and a great building material for those of us with a creative streak.
I am in the very strange (and disheartening) position of being the only person actively working on this project that is supposed to be much larger. I think it’s maybe because my ideas only got “good” in the last few weeks/months but it’s definitely time to find some help if I can get it.
Just briefly, we want a GitHub, message board, and grantwriting. All be in support for a little known, but old and established building technique, lightweight insulating concrete (LWIC) aka foamed concrete, and a low cost machine that makes it possible. I haven’t formed a company or org: it’s just me.
I know this sounds like a huge ask. Unfortunately I’m not good with computers, or any of the things a regular entrepeneur would do. I have spent the last 3 years focusing only on trying to design useful things. I should have focused on funding but I’ve been lucky enough to be self funded until now. I think it’s helped even as the money ran out: I was forced to pursue cheaper solutions, which was the goal all along. It was successful: my prototype foamed concrete mixer is the cheapest ever built by far, and uses only 50% KW/L (required power per liter) to mix the material.
I would be grateful if I could find help with
-
Grantwriting: I’m pretty broke. I’ve been self funded and spent all my money. This kind of outcome didn’t bother me before but now that I’ve developed something useful, money would come in handy.
-
WUFI analysis (thermal modelling): WUFI is a computer program that models the thermal behavior of building assemblies. It could help determine how efficient these building assemblies are (my inventions). This will help with grantwriting and attracting the right kind of expert academic support.
3.. Message Board: This is probably the best way to manage people who want to learn about foamed concrete equipment and construction techniques. There will be an international focus with this board, hopefully with multiple languages supported. I know a few experts from other countries who can serve as mods in different language sections.
- GitHub. This seems like an ideal way to organize and store all the work surrounding the production equipment and building assemblies.
The AI tells me some orgs scout these forums for promising efforts. If someone thinks I qualify for a particular grant to develop tech like this, please message me.
I already had someone reach out to me about the CAD but I’m sure extra help would be appreciated.
I know this post makes me look lazy or needy but I figured it would be best to just be honest about what we need. I love talking about the tech so if anyone is interested in foamed concrete or the work itself, ask away 
I’m not overselling the tech, by the way…this building material has a ton of unrealized potential and with some help we can improve access to it.
.