Displaying items by tag: performance

UK: Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new mortar using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from plastic bottles and silica aerogel. The team says that the mortar conforms to construction standards 413-1:2011, ASTM C270-10, and AS 1012/AS 3700. They added that it additionally reduces heat loss in the spaces between blocks or bricks by 55%.

Team leader Lidija Šiller said “For the next step, we wish to find collaborators such as a construction company to apply for funding and build the house with our ‘recipe’ for mortar. This will allow us to provide the direct evidence of potential energy savings and assess the economics for masonry buildings applications.”

Germany/India: Germany-based Sonocrete has filed a patent application for a new method to produce concrete, specially developed for the production of high-early-strength concrete. Indian Patent News has reported that the method is comprised of a cement pre-mixer equipped with an ultrasonic probe, a crystallisation tank and a concrete mixer.

India: A study at the DPG Institute of Technology and Management in Gurugram has investigated the effects of blending different concentrations of silica fumes to ground granulated blast furnace slag-based (GGBFS) geopolymer concrete. Findings reported in the Nature concluded that the addition of 10% silica fumes ‘significantly’ enhanced the durability and strength of the resulting concrete.

Singapore: A team at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has developed a new method for 3D printing concrete that incorporates steam and CO₂ from industrial by-products into the concrete mix. The team says that the process enhances the strength of concrete, while reducing the total volume used in construction.

US: Netherlands-based Basilisk has launched its bacterially-enhanced Basilisk Self-Healing Concrete in the US. The product self-heals cracks with new limestone, sealing them shut without the need for additional maintenance.

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement says it is progressing with its C4S project to develop a novel concrete imbued with CO₂ from direct air capture (DAC). The project is a collaboration with the University of Tokyo, with support from the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO). Taiheiyo Cement says that concrete developed by the partnership aids faster CO₂ capture via DAC, increasing strength, confirmed seismic resistance and carbon neutrality per full life-cycle assessment.

Taiheiyo Cement says that the eventual certification of DAC-carbonated concrete will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the Japanese construction sector.

India: Research institution Sasthra Vedhi has developed a method for the disposal of hazardous wastes like nickel-cadmium batteries and flourescent light bulbs in hollow concrete blocks called Blue Blocks. Blue Blocks can contain mercury leaks and other hazards while meeting strength standards by transferring the entire load into the solid concrete of the block.

US: A ‘leading global building materials producer’ has independently validated Premier Graphene’s claimed 32% increase in the tensile strength of concrete produced using its graphene enhancement technology. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the building materials producer will now conduct larger-scale testing prior to possibly entering into initial and long-term supply agreements with Premier Graphene.

Premier Graphene president Pedro Mendez said "We are thrilled with the positive feedback we've received, and we look forward to seeing the results of the further concrete testing which is expected to be confirmed and lead to orders. This could mark a significant milestone for Premier Graphene and our commitment to advancing construction technologies."

US: Carbon Limit has announced the launch of CoolCrete, an additive designed to lower the temperature of concrete by over 10°C through advanced thermal emittance and enhanced solar reflectance. The company says that CoolCrete-treated concrete will help to tackle the urban heat island effect. By reducing the proportion of cement in concrete, it also lowers its CO₂ emissions by up to 40%. Licensed affiliates Bison Innovative Products and NCP Industries are set to incorporate CoolCrete in commercial and residential concrete products later in 2024.

The launch page for CoolCrete on Carbon Limit’s website can be found here.

US: Princeton University researchers Shashank Gupta and Reza Moini have developed an extra-strength hollow concrete based on the tubular structure of the femur bone. The concrete offers 5.6 times greater strength than conventional concrete by isolating cracks. BGR News has reported that the developments are applicable to commercial concrete production through 3D printing or precast concrete casting.