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New Concrete With Dry Green Algae Reduces Environmental Impact, Uses Artificial Intelligence and Can Be Scaled to Different Regions of the World
Researchers at the University of Washington, in partnership with Microsoft, developed a new type of concrete made with powdered seaweed that is low in carbon.
The idea may seem unusual, but it represents an important advancement in the search for more sustainable solutions in the construction industry.
The new material reduces global warming potential by up to 21% compared to traditional concrete.
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And the best part: without compromising structural strength. To achieve this result, the team mixed dry green algae with cement, creating an innovative formulation.
Concrete: One of the Most Polluting Materials in the World
Cement, the main component of concrete, is responsible for up to 10% of all global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.
Most of these emissions occur during the chemical process known as calcination and from the use of fossil fuels.
To give an idea of the impact, producing one kilogram of cement generates almost one kilogram of CO₂. On the other hand, seaweed acts as natural carbon sinks while they grow.
This makes them promising candidates to reduce the carbon footprint of cement.
“We are talking about an abundant and photosynthetic material that can be incorporated into cement without the need for expensive processing or loss of performance,” said Eleftheria Roumeli, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Washington.
Artificial Intelligence Accelerating Research
Developing a new concrete mix is usually a slow process. Each sample takes weeks to cure before being tested.
To overcome this barrier, the researchers used a customized machine learning model.
With it, it was possible to predict ideal mixtures between cement and algae. The test data was entered into the system, which adjusted the formula until it reached the optimal point—all in just 28 days. Without the use of technology, the process could take up to five years.
“Machine learning was essential in shortening the research time, especially since we are introducing a completely new material,” explained Roumeli.
Simple and Scalable Production
Unlike other additives that require complex treatment steps, green algae can be used directly in its dry, powdered form.
This facilitates large-scale production and makes the process more accessible in resource-limited regions.
Scientists are now planning to test other species of algae and even food waste as potential ingredients.
The idea is to allow different regions of the world to create their own mixtures, tailored to local resources and needs.
According to Roumeli, this approach could accelerate the transition to greener infrastructure. “By combining natural materials like algae with modern data tools, we can reduce emissions and advance more quickly.”
The team sees the project as the beginning of a new generation of building materials. A path that combines sustainability, innovation, and technology to tackle climate challenges with concrete solutions—literally.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
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