Rice University scientists have developed a method to engineer wood that traps carbon dioxide while increasing its strength. This process involves removing lignin and hemicellulose from the wood and replacing them with metal-organic framework particles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
Scientists at PNNL have created a new system that efficiently captures CO2 and converts it into methanol, reducing emissions and establishing a market for CO2-containing materials. The technology could help stimulate the development of other carbon capture technologies and promote a more circular economy.
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Researchers uncover ancient manufacturing strategy that incorporates self-healing functionalities into Roman concrete. Hot mixing process allows for faster construction and enhanced durability through spontaneous cracking and recrystallization.
A quarter-mile segment of the Klamath Geo Trail was successfully resurfaced using volcanic ash from Mount Mazama, demonstrating its potential as a more sustainable and locally sourced pozzolan. The surface treatment improved firmness and stability, making it accessible to people with mobility devices.
Researchers at PNNL and UW discover a flow-based method to isolate pure magnesium salt from seawater, skipping energy-intensive purification steps. This approach could revolutionize US domestic magnesium production and enable more efficient processing of seawater.
Researchers aim to improve and expand Enzymatic Construction Material (ECM), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete that can repair cracks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will also support programs to inspire girls' interests in engineering and construction, addressing the industry's gender gap.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have developed a new type of cement that can be used to build structures on the moon or Mars. The geopolymer cement is made from clay-like topsoil materials found on these planets and has been shown to be durable enough for vertical launch pads.
A recent study published in Construction and Building Materials has found that heat treatment can significantly improve the strength of recycled concrete, reducing its environmental impact. The researchers developed an energy-efficient means of improving recycled concrete outcomes through thermal treatment.
A new study concludes that net zero carbon emissions in the concrete industry need both supply-side and demand-side strategies. Changes in purchasing habits and infrastructure design can reduce concrete consumption, promoting recycling, reuse, and material efficiency.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a novel additive that significantly strengthens cement paste, increasing its strength by up to 40% while delaying set time. This innovation could lead to reduced seafood waste and lower carbon emissions from concrete production.
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Researchers are investigating new methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing, aiming to create a carbon-negative replacement for portland cement. A sustainable way to produce calcium hydroxide is also being developed, which could significantly lower the carbon footprint of the existing cement industry.
Using denitrifying bacteria in recycled coarse aggregate concrete increases its strength and durability, reducing water absorption by 33% and improving compressive strength by 30.3%. The novel method offers an environmentally friendly solution to enhance freeze-thaw resistance.
The NTU team has developed a process using industrial carbide sludge and urea to create biocement, which can strengthen soil, reduce water seepage, and even repair rock carvings. The biocement-making process generates fewer carbon emissions and requires less energy compared to traditional cement production methods.
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Researchers at Washington State University found that incorporating old mask materials into cement mixtures creates stronger, more durable concrete. The mixture is 47% stronger than commonly used cement after a month of curing.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have successfully used recycled glass as a replacement for sand in 3D printing concrete mixtures. The new method offers a more environmentally sustainable way of building and construction, reducing waste and pollution.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a novel approach to rubber recycling that repurposes end-of-life tyres into concrete for residential constructions. The study found that crumb rubber concrete is a safe, green alternative with higher impact resistance, toughness, and ductility compared to conventional conc...
A new research project aims to introduce low-carbon concrete elements with high resource utilisation by reusing entire concrete elements from existing buildings as load-bearing structures in new buildings. The entire value chain is represented in the project.
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A study suggests that CO2 mineralization can reduce cement production emissions by 8-33% without additional costs, bringing in potential profits of up to €32 per tonne of cement. Governments and the industry must find ways to incentivize this reduction, including mechanisms like subsidy programs and investment in low-carbon plants.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a new method to detect tiny cracks in concrete using silicon fluorescence. The technique involves applying a thin coat of opaque paint to the concrete and shining near-infrared light on it, revealing even the smallest microcracks.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a smart and super-efficient way of capturing carbon dioxide and converting it to solid carbon, which can be integrated into existing industrial processes. The technology offers a pathway for instantly converting CO2 as it is produced, locking it permanently in a solid state.
Chemists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a method to produce cement by milling instead of burning lime, reducing CO2 emissions. The process could be implemented on an industrial scale, but further development is needed.
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Researchers discovered that volcanic aggregate and chemical interactions strengthen Caecilia Metella's tomb, exceeding male contemporaries' monuments. The study, published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, shows how leucite crystals dissolve over time to remodel concrete cohesion.
A new kind of concrete made from recycled waste materials could significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint. The calcium carbonate concrete uses captured carbon dioxide and discarded concrete to create a durable and versatile building material.
The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism could significantly impact countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, and Mozambique due to their high exposure and vulnerability to the mechanism. To mitigate this, the EU should provide financial and technical support to these countries to aid in decarbonisation efforts.
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Researchers at MLU and Brazilian University of Pará create climate-friendly cement alternative by replacing limestone with Belterra clay, a previously unused overburden from bauxite mining. The new cement is just as stable as traditional Portland cement and reduces CO2 emissions during production.
The Basque Country has significant potential for recovering and reusing industrial waste heat, with Bizkaia province showing the highest concentration. The research found that 90% of companies with waste heat temperatures above 400°C can recover their investment within five years.
Scientists at Ural Federal University and RAS developed a technology to process metallurgical slag into valuable materials such as cast iron and Portland cement clinker. The technology eliminates the problem of environmental pollution by industrial enterprises.
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Researchers found that green pigments had impurities that produced porous, poor quality concrete, while red and blue pigments had little effect. The study discovered that the morphology of hydration products and kinetics was related to compressive strength.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a smarter, more durable and highly functional cement by introducing nanoparticles into ordinary cement. The new material shows improved water transport properties, including pore structure and water penetration resistance, with reported relative decreases of 76% and 78%, respectively.
The University of the Basque Country's research team has created mortars and concretes with optimal thermal and mechanical efficiency, replacing natural materials with industrial by-products. The new materials have good thermal conductivity and are suitable for use in radiant floor heating systems, reducing CO2 emissions.
Researchers have developed an imaging technique that visualizes cement hydration on a molecular level, offering insights into the complex chemical reactions that shape concrete. This advancement may lead to more sustainable concrete production and improved 3D printing capabilities.
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The presence of trace quantities of organic matter in modern concrete structures and asphalt pavements accelerates their deterioration. Key findings include the identification of phthalates, diesel exhaust particulates, surfactants, and windshield washer fluids as major contributors to deterioration.
Researchers at C-Crete Technologies have developed a new cement formula that can purify water while also serving as a structural material. The formula uses a combination of cement and photocatalytic materials to remove pollutants from water, making it a promising solution for improving water quality.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed guidelines to use wood-based pulp mill fly ash as an economically sustainable low-carbon binder for road construction. The use of untreated PFA reduces energy consumption and produces low-carbon emissions, making it a safe raw material for environmental applications.
Researchers used bacteria Bacillus cohnii to create self-healing concrete that can repair small fissures within 28 days, extending the lifespan of structures by up to 4 times. This innovative material is particularly relevant for construction in seismically risky areas and high-humidity regions.
A new radioactive bone cement has been developed as an alternative to conventional radiation therapy for treating spinal tumors. The cement can be injected into the spine to directly irradiate tumors without harming the spinal cord, promising to eliminate side effects and limit treatment options.
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Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a rare mineral in the thick walls of a decommissioned nuclear power plant that increases concrete strength by more than three times. The formation of aluminous tobermorite allows for stronger and more eco-friendly concrete.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a nanomaterial cement mixture that can effectively seal leaky natural gas wells, reducing methane emissions. The new cement is more resistant to cracking and can be pumped through narrow spaces, making it suitable for use in active unconventional wells and orphaned abandoned gas wells.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a cross-linker for dental cement that breaks down under UV light, making treatments easier to reverse. This breakthrough enables non-permanent adhesion to the tooth surface without damaging enamel.
Coralline red algae have formed a calcareous skeleton to support coral reefs for at least 150 million years. However, their role was only proven through the analysis of over 700 fossilised reefs from the Earth's history.
A new method using noncombustible carbon textile grid and cement mortar doubles load-bearing capacities of structurally deficient concrete structures, increasing their usable lifespan threefold. Construction costs are reduced by 40% compared to existing methods.
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A UCLA research team has received a two-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support development of a process that can convert carbon dioxide emissions into construction materials. The technology captures CO2 directly from raw flue gas, reducing emissions and using less traditional cement.
Material scientists at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed a calcium phosphate cement with added carbon fibers that can seal cracks and promote self-healing. This intrinsic ability could expand the use of bone implants to include load-bearing areas, improving outcomes for patients with fractures or defects.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg found that high-temperature heat-treatment can significantly improve fly ash geopolymer concrete's resistance to extreme alkali attack. The findings show that the material maintains about 50% residual strength after being immersed in an extreme alkali medium.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences develop new strontium-substituted bioactive glass bone cement, optimizing strontium concentration to improve bone formation and implant contact. They find optimal osteogenic characteristics with 6 mol% SrO addition, supporting better peri-implant bone regeneration.
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Concrete production contributes to both global greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution, but a study from the University of California, Davis, found that using cleaner-burning kiln fuel, more renewable energy, and replacing cement with lower-carbon alternatives can reduce climate and health damage costs by up to 44 percent.
A US tax code rule expands a credit for companies capturing and storing CO2, driving demand for carbon capture technology. The 45Q rule rewards companies that reduce their CO2 emissions, spurring investment in pipelines and mature technologies.
Researchers developed a nondestructive optical technique to determine cement setting times and assess hydration processes in real-time. The method combines laser-based technology with an optical model to calculate dynamic behavior, providing accurate calculations for initial and final setting times.
Researchers created a green living material that demonstrates similar strength to cement-based mortar by combining sand, bacteria, and hydrogel. The material reproduces and can be controlled to maintain structural function and microbial survivability.
A team of McMaster University chemists has discovered a method to efficiently break down and dissolve tire rubber, paving the way for more effective recycling. The process addresses the massive environmental burden posed by 3 billion tires worldwide, which can leach contaminants into ecosystems.
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Researchers at Drexel University have created a coal ash aggregate that helps concrete cure, reducing the time it takes for concrete to harden and improving its durability. The additive, called SPoRA, promotes a uniform hardening process from the inside out, providing a solution to concrete drying problems.
A new electrochemical process can decarbonate calcium carbonate to form alite and release hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide streams. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate cement industry greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 for sequestration or power generation.
The new concrete mixture has a compressive strength increase of 2.7-3.3 times compared to traditional concrete, while reducing frost-resistance issues and increasing water-resistance. The eco-friendly concrete technology is cost-effective and can be implemented with minimal spending.
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A team of geoscientists has discovered alternative raw materials that can replace limestone in cement production, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new sustainable materials can be used to produce high-quality cements with the same beneficial properties as traditional cement.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin examines the role of geologic conditions in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The research, published in Scientific Reports, reveals a significant drop in pore pressure near the bottom of the well, leading to a controversial cement decision that contributed to the blowout.
A Washington State University team is developing an ultra-high performance cementitious composite grout to encapsulate solid secondary waste at the Hanford Site. The grout uses industrial byproducts like coal ash and steel slag to reduce costs and environmental impact.
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A new report from a global task force of bone health experts suggests that surgical procedures for spinal fractures may not be effective in reducing pain or improving quality of life. The report recommends against the use of vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty, citing a lack of evidence supporting their benefits.
The University of Virginia and C-Crete Technologies will develop novel calcium silicate formulations for high-strength, durable cements using waste materials like fly ash. These materials can be manufactured with significantly less energy and carbon emissions than conventional cements.
Purdue University researchers have created a 3D-printed cement paste that gets tougher under pressure, inspired by arthropod shells. The technique could lead to more resilient structures during natural disasters.