This self-healing concrete fixes its own cracks to last longer
Concrete is responsible for around nine percent of global CO2 emissions — that’s three times more than the airline industry. Those emissions come from the material’s production and transportation, as well as repairs associated with its degradation. Though some innovators are working on Read More...
This partnership aims to create net-zero concrete out of industrial waste
In order to reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, we urgently need to find a greener alternative to concrete — the most widely used man-made material in the world — whose key component (cement) emits about 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Narrowing in on this sustainability Read More...
Scientists turn old tires into graphene for more sustainable concrete
Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in the world and is responsible for as much as nine percent of total carbon emissions. Scientists at Rice University have figured out a way to reduce that impact by converting waste from rubber tires into graphene that can, in turn, be mixed with Read More...
This sustainable concrete alternative helps coastal ecosystems thrive
While necessary to support human settlements, the development of infrastructure in coastal areas is often harmful to surrounding natural ecosystems. That's because most of this construction is made of concrete — a material whose chemical composition and flat surface fails to act as a viable Read More...
New concrete recipe enables the material to absorb CO2 twice as fast
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world. And as you might know already, it’s also one with a gargantuan environmental footprint, producing over eight percent of the world’s CO2 emissions. What’s less known about this binding material, however, is that it can also capture CO2 Read More...
Researchers recycle discarded face masks to make stronger road material
In addition to a global health crisis, the pandemic has also exacerbated our toxic relationship with plastic, with millions of single-use face masks and gloves ending up in the environment daily. There are some ways, however, we can mitigate this new form of pollution. Recently, we shared a Read More...
This is how lobsters are helping make 3D-printed concrete stronger
In recent years, 3D concrete printing has emerged as an attractive candidate to reimagine the construction industry — one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution in the world. But making concrete durable enough for building complex structures is still an obstacle. Seeking to overcome Read More...
New cement-free sewerage concrete prevents fatbergs and corrosion
The cement used to construct concrete sewerage systems around the world does a mighty job of helping wash away our waste but does have its shortcomings. Scientists in Australia have developed a new cement-free solution they say is better equipped to handle the corrosive nature of these Read More...
Could we 3D-print buildings using local soil instead of concrete?
3D-printed architecture has been getting a lot of press from The Optimist Daily lately. Most recently, we shared a story out of Oakland where a startup called Mighty Buildings is using a 3D printer to create not only the walls and floors of a home but also other elements like the roof and ceiling. Read More...
Concrete of the future may be recyclable and even biodegradable
Society has been using concrete to build infrastructure and homes for about 100 years and, throughout its long history, the process has pretty much stayed the same. But it seems concrete is set to get a makeover as the industry attempts to go greener. A few weeks ago we shared how researchers were Read More...