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Engineering: The house that diapers built

Researchers found that disposable diaper waste can replace up to 8% of sand in concrete and mortar used to build a single-story house, reducing construction costs. The study suggests using this unconventional material for low-cost housing in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2023

Researchers develop carbon-negative concrete

Scientists at Washington State University have created a carbon-negative concrete that can sequester up to 23% of its weight in CO2 while maintaining strength comparable to regular cement. This innovation could significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint, with potential applications in pavements and bridges.

SourceWashington State University·JournalMaterials Letters·DateApr 18, 2023

Cracking the concrete code

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new type of metamaterial concrete that can be designed to have specific attributes like brittleness, flexibility, and shapeability. This material can generate electricity and can also be used to monitor damage inside concrete structures or earthquakes, reducing their impact o...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 21, 2023

Engineered wood grows stronger while trapping carbon dioxide

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.

SourceRice University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

WPI researchers receive new funding for sustainable concrete substitute

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.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2022

Concrete evidence: simple method to improve the sustainability of construction

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.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateAug 9, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists create renewable biocement entirely out of waste material

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.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

From lab to slab: Rubber concrete flexes into the residential market

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...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalStructures·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2022

Business models for CO2 mineralization

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.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 15, 2022

Reducing carbon emissions of C&D waste in building refurbishment

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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Now you don’t see it … and now you do

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.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2022

Decarbonisation tech instantly converts CO2 to solid carbon

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.

SourceRMIT University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJan 18, 2022

A concrete solution

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.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Advanced Concrete Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

European Green Deal: carbon border adjustment mechanism could hit some trade partners hard

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.

Scientists develop alternative cement with low carbon footprint

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.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalSustainable Materials and Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021

Novel smart cement can be used to build more durable roads and cities

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJun 21, 2021

More sustainable mortars and concrete with optimal thermal and mechanical efficiency

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.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·DateJun 10, 2021

Nanoengineered cement shows promise for sealing leaky gas wells

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control·DateDec 14, 2020

Self-healing bone 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.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 10, 2020