MIT Researchers Find a Way to Make Concrete Greener and Faster

Brief 

MIT researchers have discovered a way to make concrete production more environmentally friendly by introducing a simple and inexpensive ingredient. By adding sodium bicarbonate, up to 15% of the carbon dioxide associated with cement production can be mineralized during early stages of mixing and pouring. This new method results in faster setting times and stronger, more durable concrete.

Insight

Concrete is a widely used construction material, but its production is not environmentally friendly due to its high carbon emissions. The process of making concrete involves firing materials in a kiln, which emits carbon dioxide.

Concrete production is responsible for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. MIT researchers have found a solution to this problem by adding a sodium bicarbonate substitute to concrete during mixing and pouring. This addition allows up to 15% of the carbon dioxide associated with cement production to be mineralized during the early stages.

The new material is a composite of calcium carbonate and calcium silicon hydrate, which sets quickly without losing any of its mechanical performance. The researchers believe that this new type of concrete could help the construction industry complete work faster and be part of a solution to reduce carbon emissions.

The study highlights the ability to sequester carbon dioxide in the pre-cure stage and could be combined with other recent innovations in developing lower carbon footprint concrete admixtures. The researchers are excited about the potential to create greener and even carbon-negative construction materials for the built environment.

Highlight

1. MIT researchers have found a solution to this problem by adding a sodium bicarbonate substitute to concrete during mixing and pouring.
2. This addition allows up to 15% of the carbon dioxide associated with cement production to be mineralized during the early stages.
3. The new material is a composite of calcium carbonate and calcium silicon hydrate, which sets quickly without losing any of its mechanical performance.
4. The study highlights the ability to sequester carbon dioxide in the pre-cure stage.

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