Simple New Process Stores CO2 in Concrete While Maintaining Strength
Carbonated concrete could help reduce emissions associated with cement production. By using a carbonated — rather than a still — water-based solution during the concrete…
Concrete News
Concrete is a composite material widely used in construction, composed primarily of water, cement, and aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone. The mixture hardens over time to form a stone-like substance that is both durable and versatile, making it essential for a vast range of construction projects including buildings, roads, bridges, and dams. The key to concrete’s strength and durability lies in the hydration process, where the cement reacts with water to form a hard matrix that binds the aggregates together. Concrete’s properties can be adjusted by changing the proportions of its components, adding additives, or using different types of cement, allowing it to meet diverse structural and aesthetic requirements. It is favored for its relatively low cost, high compressive strength, and ability to be cast into complex shapes. However, despite its many advantages, concrete production is also a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, leading to increasing research into more sustainable alternatives.
“Absolute Miracle” – New Recycling Method Could Help Solve One of the World’s Biggest Climate Challenges
Cambridge researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to produce low-emission concrete, potentially revolutionizing the construction industry and aiding global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. Researchers…
A “Double Shot” of Strength: How Used Coffee Grounds Reinforce Concrete
Scientists have developed a technique to strengthen concrete using used coffee grounds, potentially reducing waste in landfills and decreasing reliance on natural sand in construction….
“Talking” Concrete – New Invention Could Significantly Reduce Traffic Jams
Purdue’s invention for reducing road repairs is being considered by interstates across the United States. A growing number of U.S. highways are poised to test…
Metamaterial Concrete: Reinventing the Most Widely Used Construction Material
Scientists develop self-monitoring metamaterial concrete for smart infrastructure systems. Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh are bringing concrete into the 21st century by reimagining its…
Researchers Develop Eco-Friendly, Carbon-Negative Concrete
Washington State University researchers have developed a carbon-negative, eco-friendly concrete formula that is almost as strong as traditional concrete. In a proof-of-concept work, the researchers…
Baking Soda Saves the World: New Additive in Concrete Mix Could Slash Carbon Emissions
MIT engineers discover new carbonation pathways for creating more environmentally friendly concrete. Concrete’s carbon footprint could be reduced by 15% if sodium bicarbonate is introduced…
“Cosmic Concrete” Made From Extra-Terrestrial Dust Is Twice As Strong as Regular Concrete
Scientists have created a new material, dubbed ‘StarCrete’ which is made from extra-terrestrial dust, potato starch, and a pinch of salt and could be used…
Applying a Special Type of Bacteria to Concrete Increases Its Strength by 30%
The addition of denitrifying bacteria to recycled coarse aggregate concrete can significantly improve its freeze-thaw resistance Concrete is one of the most frequently used construction…
More Durable Concrete With a Nano-Engineered Sealer
A nanomaterials-engineered penetrating sealer developed by Washington State University researchers is able to better protect concrete from moisture and salt – the two most damaging…
Surfside Champlain Towers South Condo Collapse & the Science of Concrete [Video]
Concrete buildings don’t just collapse out of the blue. Even earthquakes aren’t supposed to bring them down. So why did the Champlain Towers South building…
2,050-Year-Old Roman Tomb Inspires Durable and Sustainable Building Materials for the Future
New research on ancient Roman concrete offers insights on ancient concrete resilience, inspires durable and sustainable modern constructions. Concrete often begins to crack and crumble…
A Concrete Solution: Recycled Concrete and CO2 From the Air Are Made Into a New Building Material
A new kind of concrete could reduce emissions from the construction industry. Calcium carbonate concrete is made from waste concrete and carbon dioxide from the…
Concrete World: Engineers To Improve Reinforced Steel To Contain High-Level Nuclear Waste
Metals embedded in concrete can erode, rust, and weaken until the concrete splits and the structure it supports falls. Such corrosion is believed to be…
Scientists Reveal Causes of Concrete and Asphalt Deterioration
Scientists reveal that the deterioration of modern concrete and asphalt structures is due to the presence of trace quantities of organic matter in these structures….
Visualizing Cement Hydration on a Molecular Level – Could Enable 3-D Printing of Concrete
Imaging technique could enable new pathways for reducing concrete’s hefty carbon footprint, as well as for 3-D printing of concrete. The concrete world that surrounds…
Innovation Pioneers Score World First for Sustainable Construction With “Game-Changing” Graphene-Enhanced Concrete
First commercial pour of engineered graphene concrete takes place in UK using Manchester technology. A joint venture between graphene specialists at The University of Manchester…
World-First Concept for Rechargeable Cement-Based Batteries – Imagine a 20-Story Building That Stores Energy Like a Giant Battery
Imagine an entire twenty-story concrete building that can store energy like a giant battery. Thanks to unique research from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, such…