SAM Research Group

SAM Group is a Turkey-based research laboratory advancing the material science of cement-based systems through interdisciplinary, high-impact research. Operating at the convergence of sustainable construction materials, bio-based building technologies, 3D printing of concrete, and machine learning-driven material design, SAM Group generates scientific knowledge with direct relevance to the European Union’s strategic priorities — including the European Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus initiative, and the transition toward a circular, low-carbon built environment. Our research program is structured to meet the ambitions of Horizon Europe, with particular alignment with Clusters 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) and 4 (Digital, Industry and Space), positioning SAM Group as a competitive partner in collaborative and ERC-track funding frameworks. We actively cultivate research partnerships with European academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and innovation ecosystems, contributing to the co-creation of sustainable material solutions at both fundamental and applied levels. SAM Group brings together global expertise within a dynamic, internationally oriented research environment — committed to producing the knowledge infrastructure that Europe’s construction sector urgently needs.

Current Research Directions:

  • Recycled Concrete Powder (RCP) Valorization — Developing carbonation-activated secondary binder systems from construction and demolition waste, targeting circular feedstock integration within the Eastern Mediterranean cement industry
  • Carbon Capture & Mineralization in Cementitious Systems — Investigating accelerated carbonation as both a CO₂ sequestration pathway and a performance-enhancement mechanism for low-clinker and waste-derived binders
  • 3D Printing of Concrete & Earthen Composites — Advancing printability science for cement-based and clay-based systems using ram extrusion platforms, with artificial intelligence frameworks for rheology prediction and process control
  • Bio-Based Construction Materials — Pioneering the use of biological agents — including bacterial cells and bio-mineralization mechanisms — as functional admixtures for rheology modification, self-healing, and structural performance enhancement in cementitious and earthen matrices
  • Earthen Binder Systems — Formulating genatural earth materials as viable alternatives to Portland cement in both cast and printed applications