To harvest magnesium-based low-carbon cement from the ocean for future construction
- Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. S.H. Chu
- Institution: Columbia University
This team will harvest Magnesium-based cement from both the ocean and locally available waste as a low-carbon alternative to the Calcium-based cement traditionally used in concrete production. Not only would the production of this novel cement be more CO2- and cost-efficient than that of traditional cement; the resulting concrete will also absorb and store large amounts of CO2 in the curing process. Finally, Dr. Chu will explore the scale-up potential of this cement production process in New York State.
More information here.
Project agreement sign date: Oct 2023
Kick-off meeting Date: Nov 2023
Carbontech Development Initiative, New York State, USA
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)
We are developing ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).
Our approach is for interface design to use ocean-derived MgO expansion agent to create controlled self-prestressing surrounding each fiber (e.g., steel fiber) embedded in the matrix, which is called bio-inspired design inspired by muscle structure.
Our approach for matrix optimization is to leverage particle packing and slurry film thickness theory to scientifically save cement, tailor rheology, and densify microstructure.
Our approach for fiber optimization is to design fiber geometry and model composite behavior with fiber factor.
Combining together, we are developing next-generation UHPC for sustainable and resilient infrastructure through design, modeling and prediction with the aid of multiscaling and neural networks.
Design and modeling of sustainable materials
Throughout history, we humans have built diverse buildings and infrastructures. Concrete, the fabric of modern society as the most used manmade material, accounts for 5-8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The resulting climate change profoundly affects our shift to sustainable and resilient infrastructure. As a starting point, low-carbon binders (e.g., reactive MgO cement) are derived experimentally from renewable resources, seawater, and wastewater without CaCO3 decomposition or high-temperature calcination, and understood through multiscale chemo-thermo-mechanical modeling. The low-carbon materials can enable permanent CO2 mineralization into green construction materials, as well as bio-inspired and functional design. The resulting materials toolkit offers innovative solutions for resilient infrastructure through decarbonizing the built environment, innovating modular construction, integrating cable-driven robot additive manufacturing technology, and functional designs such as self-healing and self-sensing. Future efforts are directed to the integration of sustainable and resilient infrastructure design at multiscale, utilizing experimental, analytical, and computational approaches supported by machine learning. These endeavors align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, striving for carbon neutrality and advancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Prof. Fish and Dr. Chu focus on below key aspects:
1. Understanding the carbonation and hydration through thermo-chemo-mechanical modeling
2. Predictive design and characterization of low carbon materials based on the above modeling