| Nano-Concrete |
| Written by Philip Proefrock | ||
| Friday, 16 March 2007 | ||
Concrete is a complex material made of just four basic ingredients: coarse
aggregates (stone), fine aggregates (sand), water, and cement. It is
extremely hardy and maintenance free, leading to some claims that it is a green
material. But cement is incredibly energy intensive to produce.
Minerals must be fired in ovens at temperatures of 1500 degrees C (over
2700 degrees F). Because concrete is used so frequently cement manufacture is actually responsible for an
estimated 5 to 10 percent of all carbon dioxide released to the
atmosphere.
MIT researchers have been examining the structure of concrete in an attempt to better understand how the material works and to develop better (and less energy-intensive methods) for manufacturing cement. Cutting back on cement production, or finding a cleaner way of producing it could be a huge step in reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It may not be as cool as light transmitting concrete, but it has a much greater potential to be a useful contribution towards a greener world.
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Science, technology gadgets and...baby seals. We're in a bit of an eco-mess, but we've got the brains to lick any problem. And that's why EcoGeek.org publishes up to ten stories daily about innovations that are saving the planet.
And if that sounds interesting to you, then congratulations, you're an EcoGeek.
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