Some of my recent posts have been focusing on new solutions lowering cements carbon footprint while increasing the strength! This post focuses on incorporating nanomaterials into traditional cement which improves water and fracture resistance. You may ask yourself; how does this help reverse climate change?
Well; Almighty Mother Nature is the strongest force on earth and breaks down almost everything man has made. Increasing the fracture resistance to concrete and resistance to water penetration will extend the life cycle of cement. Cement is the #1 material consumed globally and this technology can be applied to roads and cities, overtime the concrete will produce less waste and have a reduction in repairs.
The article titled: New Smart Cement Invented for Building More Durable Roads and Cities mentions it costs about $24K per year to maintain one lane of a road for one mile. With ice and snow breaking down the roads surface this new nanomaterial solution increases the lifespan of the roadway and many other applications cement is used for in the built environment.
Professor Ange-Therese Akono holds a sample of her smart cement. Credit: Northwestern University