Breakthrough Innovation: Carbon Neutral Eco-Friendly Cement from Alga

Revolutionizing the Cement Industry: Algae-based Carbon-Neutral Cement 

Every year, about 2 gigatons (2,000,000,000,000) of carbon dioxide are released into our atmosphere due to the production and use of cement. The United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has published a report on this. According to them, cement is number 3 among the 10 biggest sources of pollution from industries.

Revolutionizing the Cement Industry: Algae-based Carbon-Neutral Cement

However, a group of researchers claim that a large amount of carbon emissions from cement can be stopped quickly. For this, instead of conventional cement, a type of organic cement made from microalgae or "microalgae" should be used. This cement made from organic matter is called 'biogenic cement'.

A team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed this carbon-neutral method of producing Portland cement. Researchers from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of North Carolina Wilmington helped them in the research. Cement will be made from organically produced limestone in this method.

Let's know more about this carbon-neutral and eco-friendly cement. 

Conventional cement vs cement made from organic limestone

Concrete is made from portland cement, water and gravel. Interestingly, concrete is the second most used material worldwide after water. Be it in America, Europe or Asia, construction work is impossible without concrete and especially Portland cement.

Highlighting the importance of concrete, the study's lead researcher and professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, Will Sruber, said, “Concrete is the most manufactured product of anything in the world. It means it touches everyone's life."

Unfortunately, a large amount of limestone is burned during the commercial manufacture of Portland cement. It emits a huge amount of carbon. Moreover, the air around the place where cement is manufactured becomes polluted. The burning of limestone during the manufacture of cement releases pollutants and toxic gases into the surrounding air. 

During a trip to Thailand in 2017, Professor Sruber came up with a solution to this problem. There he found abundant natural calcium carbonate accumulated around the coral reef. He knew that limestone is made of calcium carbonate. It occurs to him that instead of mining limestone, it can be produced naturally. He thought, "If nature can produce limestone, why can't we?"

After returning to the United States, Sruber and his research team decided to produce a tiny aquatic algae called 'coccolithophores'. These species of algae produce limestone through organic processes. And to do that, these tiny algae accumulate calcium carbonate during photosynthesis.

The mineral limestone takes millions of years to form underground. But the researchers observed that limestone is formed in a short period of time through organic processes called 'coccolithophores'.

Coccolithophores can produce calcium carbonate in less time than the coral reefs Professor Sruber observed while in Thailand. Moreover, only dissolved carbon-dioxide and sunlight are needed to produce limestone organically in seawater. Again, this tiny algae can survive in saltwater and freshwater bodies. Therefore, it is possible to use them to produce limestone anywhere in the world. 

Algae-grown limestone has a promising future

Making limestone from 'coccolithophores' is very convenient. Researchers claim that only 20 million acres of water will be needed to meet the cement needs of the entire United States with the new method of cement. Coccolithophores will grow naturally in this reservoir. This amount of land is only 0.5% of the total land area of ​​the United States.

Making cement from organic limestone does not emit carbon, but rather stores more free carbon from nature. These tiny aquatic algae absorb carbon dioxide from the environment. Then it turns that carbon dioxide into calcium carbonate. That is, the use of concrete with this cement made from algae can usher in a new era in the construction industry.

According to Prof. Sruber, “It is high time to address this problem affecting the cement industry. We believe, if not the best solution, it is one of the best solutions. This is how the cement and concrete industry can solve the carbon problem.”

Professor Schruber was awarded the National Science Foundation Career Award in 2020 for this discovery. Recently, Sruber and his fellow researchers received a 3.2 million US dollar grant from the US Department of Energy. In addition, this research group is also working with private companies for research and production of organic limestone.

Professor Sruber and his colleagues believe that this organic material made from algae can be used instead of the mineral limestone. And it will protect the environment of the whole world. 

Revolutionizing the Cement Industry: Algae-based Carbon-Neutral Cement

1. Introduction to Algae-based Carbon-Neutral Cement: This post will provide an overview of what algae-based cement is and how it can revolutionize the cement industry. It will also discuss the benefits of using this type of cement.
2. How Algae-based Cement is Made: This post will explain the process of making algae-based cement. It will provide an overview of the materials used and the steps involved in producing the cement.
3. Advantages of Algae-based Cement: This post will highlight the benefits of using algae-based cement over traditional cement. It will discuss how it is more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
4. Challenges in Adopting Algae-based Cement: This post will discuss the challenges of adopting algae-based cement on a larger scale. It will cover the issues of production costs, availability of materials, and scalability.
5. Environmental Impact of Algae-based Cement: This post will discuss the environmental impact of algae-based cement. It will examine how it can help reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants.
6. Cost of Algae-based Cement: This post will compare the cost of algae-based cement to traditional cement. It will highlight the potential cost savings that could be achieved by using this type of cement.
7. Applications of Algae-based Cement: This post will explore the various applications of algae-based cement. It will discuss how it can be used in construction, infrastructure, and other industries.
8. Future of Algae-based Cement: This post will discuss the future of algae-based cement. It will examine how it could be used to meet the growing demand for sustainable construction materials.
9. Algae-based Cement vs. Other Sustainable Materials: This post will compare algae-based cement to other sustainable construction materials, such as bamboo, recycled plastics, and hempcrete.
10. Algae-based Cement in the Global Market: This post will examine the potential for algae-based cement to be used in the global market. It will look at how it can be adopted in developing countries and how it can be used to address climate change.

Top 20 Fact About Cement

1. Cement is a fine powder made from a mixture of materials, including limestone, clay, sand, and iron ore.
2. The use of cement dates back to ancient times, with evidence of its use found in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
3. Portland cement is the most common type of cement used in construction today.
4. Cement is used as a binding agent in concrete, which is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and gravel.
5. The production of cement is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of global emissions.
6. Cement is used in a wide range of applications, including buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and pipelines.
7. The word "cement" comes from the Latin word "caementum," which means rough stone or chips of marble.
8. The first patent for Portland cement was issued in 1824, and the first factory for its production was built in England in 1846.
9. The basic chemical reaction that occurs during the production of cement is the combination of calcium oxide (lime) with silica and alumina (clay) to form calcium silicates and calcium aluminates.
10. There are several different types of cement, including rapid-hardening cement, sulfate-resistant cement, and white cement.
11. Cement is transported in bulk by ships, trains, and trucks to construction sites around the world.
12. The use of cement in construction has contributed to the growth of cities and the development of modern infrastructure.
13. Cement can be mixed with other materials to create composite materials such as fiber-reinforced concrete and ferrocement.
14. The curing process for cement can take several days, and during this time, it is important to keep the concrete moist to ensure proper hydration.
15. The strength of concrete is affected by factors such as the type and proportion of aggregates used, the water-to-cement ratio, and the curing conditions.
16. The use of alternative fuels and raw materials in cement production can help reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources.
17. The compressive strength of concrete can range from a few hundred pounds per square inch to over 10,000 pounds per square inch, depending on the mix and curing conditions.
18. Cement can also be used as a soil stabilizer to improve the strength and stability of soil for construction purposes.
19. Cement can be colored using pigments or dyes to achieve a wide range of colors, including red, green, and blue.
20. The durability and longevity of concrete structures depend on proper design, construction, and maintenance, including regular inspections and repairs.