Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New design approach may help slash the price of ultra-durable concrete

A team of researchers at Penn State developed a new design approach to reduce the cost of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) by optimizing metallic fibers, which currently make up 70% of the material's price. The new design can help produce stronger and more environmentally friendly concrete while reducing costs.

SourcePenn State·JournalCement and Concrete Composites·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2026

UCO designs a 100% recycled paving block made from mollusk shells and mining waste

A team from UCO develops a 100% recycled paving block made from mollusk shells and mining waste, replacing natural aggregates and conventional cement. The block meets mechanical, durability, and safety criteria without using single natural material, contributing to circular economy and decarbonization in the construction sector.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalMaterials and Structures·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Taller doesn’t mean terrible: How smart design can lower carbon emissions for residential buildings

Researchers found that concrete slab size is the worst offender in terms of carbon emissions, with changing this feature alone able to save large amounts of emissions. Optimize design decisions such as floor thickness, building materials, and construction culture to reduce pollution.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalResources Conservation and Recycling·DateMar 3, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New research enables safe reuse of concrete

A new framework developed by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology enables builders to reuse structural elements confidently, extending the lifespan of used concrete by 50-100 years. The study's findings show that reusing concrete is one of the most effective ways to cut emissions and reduce waste in construction.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials and Structures·DateJan 28, 2026

Seashells offer low-carbon concrete breakthrough in new study

Researchers at University of East London found that discarded seashells can be transformed into a low-carbon concrete ingredient, reducing carbon emissions by up to 36%. The study suggests a promising opportunity for industry to adopt sustainable cement alternatives.

SourceUniversity of East London·JournalConstruction Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2025

Cracking the code: deciphering how concrete can heal itself

Researchers have developed a synthetic lichen system that enables concrete to heal itself without external intervention. This innovation has far-reaching potential in reducing maintenance costs and extending the longevity of concrete infrastructure.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalMaterials Today Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2025
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New research aims to improve bridge construction in Texas

The study focuses on developing design provisions for using headed reinforcement in bridge structures, reducing construction time and costs. Full-scale experimental testing is underway at the Center for Infrastructure Renewal's High-Bay Laboratory.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateJan 2, 2025
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tougher concrete, inspired by bone

The new material resists cracking and avoids sudden failure, unlike conventional brittle cement-based counterparts. By manipulating the structure of the material itself, researchers achieve significant improvements in toughness without additional material.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024

Rice study shows coal-based product could replace sand in concrete

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a graphene-derived material that can serve as a substitute for sand in concrete, offering a potential solution to the looming 'sand crisis.' The study found that the graphene-based concrete is 25% lighter but just as tough as conventional concrete.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024

Technology not growing fast enough to decarbonize steel and cement industries by 2050

A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies shows that current infrastructure deployment is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets, requiring a shift in how materials are used or consumed. The study estimates that feasible supply of steel and cement within a carbon budget will fall short of expected global dem...

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 11, 2023

Veins of bacteria could form a self-healing system for concrete infrastructure

Drexel University's 'BioFiber' technology uses living tissue systems to stabilize and heal damaged concrete. The system incorporates biomineralizing bacteria that can create a stone-like material to repair cracks in concrete, improving durability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceDrexel University·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Fast, automated, affordable test for cement durability developed at U of I

Researchers developed a fast and affordable test to predict cement durability using computer vision, which can analyze water droplet absorption on surfaces. The new test is less tedious than current methods and could help the cement industry improve quality control.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·Journalnpj Materials Degradation·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

Reading between the cracks: artificial intelligence can identify patterns in surface cracking to assess damage in reinforced concrete structures

Researchers develop AI-based method to quantify cracking patterns in reinforced concrete structures, enabling more accurate and efficient assessments of structural damage. The approach uses graph theory and machine learning algorithms to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each set of cracks, allowing for quick and consistent evaluations.

SourceDrexel University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2023
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Infrastructure deterioration measurements made more reliable

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed a reliable means to quantify reinforced concrete structure deterioration using crack width measurements. Increasing crack width leads to decreased bond strength in infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCase Studies in Construction Materials·DateNov 22, 2022

Caltech Hall is getting stiffer, according to decades of data

Researchers found that Caltech Hall's natural frequencies have increased by 5% in the east-west direction and 2% in the north-south direction over 20 years. This suggests up to 20% variation in the building's stiffness between earthquakes, posing a challenge for seismic structural health monitoring.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2022

Buying a net-zero carbon home

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.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateAug 2, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers use bacteria to enhance concrete resistance

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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

A laser-quick and non-destructive method to detect cracks in concrete structures

Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology develop a fast and reliable method to detect defects in concrete structures using laser-induced plasma shock waves. The technique analyzes vibration patterns to identify Rayleigh waves, which can reveal the presence of cracks.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Mechanical Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New models assess bridge support repairs after earthquakes

Engineers developed a computational modeling strategy to simulate restoration strategies for reinforced concrete columns. The models predict the effects of repair methods on column strength and ductility before and after repair.

SourceRice University·JournalEngineering Structures·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022

How long can fiber reinforced polymer sustain concrete structures? Scientists answer

A 13-year-long study finds that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) coatings can sustain concrete structures for extended periods. The study tested FRP and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems under various environmental conditions, revealing significant impact on bond behavior.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalComposites Part B Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New instrumentation for research

The DFG is funding 12 projects to develop new instrumentation technologies for basic research. A new X-ray system will be built at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, enabling researchers to analyze reinforced concrete components in unprecedented detail.

SourceDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft·DateDec 21, 2016

Parametric analysis on collapse-resistance performance of reinforced-concrete frame with specially shaped columns under loss of a corner column

The study found that increasing beam section height and lower steel bar rebar ratio significantly improves collapse-resistance capacity. Meanwhile, lengthening the specially shaped column limb only enhances stiffness, while slab upper and lower steel bar rebar ratios increase the frame's stiffness and collapse-resistance capacity.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Construction and Building Technology Journal·DateSep 2, 2016

Racing against time

The Controlled Impact Rescue Tool (CIRT) rapidly rescues those trapped beneath concrete by creating a contained hole with high-energy jolts, making it up to four times faster than traditional methods. CIRT units have been distributed to various search-and-rescue teams across the US.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateSep 20, 2011
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

All shook up: UH engineer pioneer in earthquake research

Thomas Hsu, a University of Houston civil engineering professor, has been recognized for his work on the 'Universal Element Tester,' a device capable of testing reinforced concrete under varied controlled forces. The UET allows engineers to predict seismic behavior and design cost-effective structures.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJun 4, 2007