This is the story of Dutch researchers who studied adobe ‘mud bricks’ to better understand how soldiers on peacekeeping missions can be protected using this building material. This research is part of our open access initiative. We operate dozens of world class laboratories to conduct research for the benefit of EU citizens. Our labs, just like our homes, are not always occupied. And like our homes, they can be useful to others when we aren’t using them. That’s why we invite scientists from all over Europe to conduct their research in labs funded through the EU budget.