Creating sustainable, long-lasting structures is at the core of environmentally-friendly architecture.  Many researchers have been working on a better cement, but what if all you need to make a durable structure is available for take-out?

Recent studies of Ming Dynasty-era structures in China found that the secret to their lasting strength and stability is the mixing of sticky rice into the mortar. Chinese builders started adding starchy sticky rice soup to their lime mortar mixtures around 1,500 years ago.  The builders found that it added to the mortar's strength and they were right.  Scientists studying tombs, pagodas and city walls still standing from that time found that they all included this magic ingredient -- many even withstood earthquakes.

So, what makes sticky rice such a perfect addition to mortar?  Well, specifically it's the amylopectin, a polysaccharide found in starchy foods, that combines with the calcium carbonate in the lime and forms an ultra-strength mortar.  The scientists tested other mortar recipes and found that the sticky rice mixture was the best for restoring ancient structures.

While, it's unlikely that American builders will start stocking up on rice for their construction projects, this finding does clue us in on how organic materials can add to the strength of buildings and may hopefully lead to longer-lasting structures.

For the past week, 20 teams took over the National Mall with their best attempts at a net-zero, solar-powered home, all with hopes to win this year's Solar Decathlon.  Today, after competing in ten different contests, the winners were crowned, and for the second time, Germany took first place. The cube-shaped surPLUShome, covered on all sides by dark metallic solar panels, produces more than twice the energy it uses.  The roof is covered with single-crystal silicon panels and the sides with thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panels.  The entire system has a capacity of 11.1 kW.

Just as impressive was the efficiency of the home.  The team got a perfect score in the Net Metering contest.  Features like one large multi-purpose room with different "zones" instead of separated rooms, vacuum insulation structural panels, a boiler/heat pump system for hot water and heat and louver-covered windows created an energy-sipping home.

Two U.S. teams also placed in the competition:  Team Illinois took second and Team California took third.  All of the entries showcased innovative and beautiful designs.  Check out virtual tours of all the entries here and let the inspiration begin.