Spheres can make concrete leaner, greener

phys.org ^ | 09/26/2018

[BenLurkin]

To Rice materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari and graduate student Sung Hoon Hwang, the spheres represent building blocks that can be made at low cost and promise to mitigate the energy-intensive techniques now used to make cement, the most common binder in concrete.

The researchers formed the spheres in a solution around nanoscale seeds of a common detergent-like surfactant. The spheres can be prompted to self-assemble into solids that are stronger, harder, more elastic and more durable than ubiquitous Portland cement.

"Cement doesn't have the nicest structure," said Shahsavari, an assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering. "Cement particles are amorphous and disorganized, which makes it a bit vulnerable to cracks.

But with this material, we know what our limits are and we can channel polymers or other materials in between the spheres to control the structure from bottom to top and predict more accurately how it could fracture." He said the spheres are suitable for bone-tissue engineering, insulation, ceramic and composite applications as well as cement.

[dangerdoc]

Takes a bunch of natural gas to cook limestone into cement. I think I remember hearing about a cement plant fired with old tires, now that would be nasty.

[TexasTransplant]

*** “use less concrete, decreasing not only weight but also the energy required to make it and the carbon emissions associated with cement’s manufacture” ***

Hit Piece!

They just Hate Trees