SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
“The innovation could allow for the production of zerocarbon cement ”
CYRILLE DUNANT , SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE , UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Sustainable cement production breakthrough The Cambridge research on ‘ Electric Cement ’, follows similar work on cement sustainability , undertaken by Christ Cheeseman , Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London .
Cheeseman aims to develop net zero cement technology via a CO2 capture process designed by ICL researchers .
The process transforms magnesium silicate materials like olivine , into cement materials , and will capture CO2 in a form that can be used in a variety of sustainable construction projects at the same time .
From breaking down olivine , silica can be used as a cement material added to concrete to make the mixture more economical , increase strength , reduce permeability , and influence other properties . The new material should produce concrete that is also more desirable when it comes to strength and durability . Regarding CO2 , the remaining magnesia can be used to permanently isolate CO2 , which results in magnesium carbonate , an extremely stable mineral for long-term carbon storage and no danger of leakage . constructiondigital . com 139