Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have found a new method of making concrete cement—by making use of limestone and CO2. Yup, a sustainable concrete from Co2.
Sustainable Concrete from Co2 (Source: 3ders)
Concrete production accounts for 5% of CO2 emissions produced globally. So, the research team wanted to take the opportunity to make a cement substitute from captured carbon from power plants. The team’s method uses CO2 given off during the calcination process, wherein it is captured and combined with calcium hydroxide to be able to recreate limestone. They were able to construct 5cm cones of cement substitute, CO2NCRETE, which were shaped using 3D printing.
Sustainable Concrete from Co2 (Source: UCLA)
According to associate professor in civil and environmental engineering at UCLA Gaurav Sant, while cement production results in CO2, if it is possible to reutilize it to make a building material which could be a new kind of cement, then it’s an opportunity.
Sustainable Concrete from Co2 (Source: UCLA)
“The big challenge we foresee with this is we’re not just trying to develop a building material. We’re trying to develop a process solution, an integrated technology which goes right from CO2 to a finished product.” Sant said
