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An engineering professor has developed a new technique that can significantly improve the performance and durability of concrete. The method can increase its strength by up to 100% compared to conventional materials, bringing advances to civil construction and urban infrastructure.
Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in the world. It is also one of the most polluting. Cement production alone accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
Faced with this scenario, an engineering professor from the United States has come up with a new alternative. The proposal is promising and could change the way concrete is made. produced and used in construction.
CO₂ curing technique improves concrete
Mehdi Khanzadeh, assistant professor at Temple University, developed a method that combines internal and external curing with CO₂.
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This process increases the carbonation depth in the concrete. And this has a direct effect: improves the strength and durability of the material.
Early tests have shown that the new concrete is between 80% e 100% more resistant than the materials used today.
This represents a significant leap forward, especially for applications in structures that need to support weight, such as beams and columns.
How the new method works
The process created by Khanzadeh uses hydrogels with enzymatic solutions. These elements help carbon dioxide to penetrate the concrete better.
The result is deeper, more uniform carbonation.
This is important because, until now, so-called carbonable concrete was used almost only in sealing blocks, such as masonry blocks.
These blocks are not part of the load-bearing structure of the buildings. They are used only as partitions or external walls.
The reason for this limitation was clear: current carbonable concrete was not strong enough to be used in structural elements. Now, with this new method, that could change.
Less pollution from the source
In addition to CO₂ curing, the new concrete uses a special type of cement. This cement has a smaller carbon footprint.
It emits less CO₂ during manufacturing and requires less energy in the process.
In other words, innovation begins even before the concrete is used. Emissions are already being reduced during production. And then, during curing, the material captures even more CO₂ from the atmosphere.
This combination of factors points to a more sustainable path. A concrete that not only pollutes less, but also helps to capture greenhouse gases.
Ongoing research and financial support
The research began in 2021. First, with simple mixtures. Then, Khanzadeh moved on to using them in more complex mortars.
In 2024, he received an important recognition: the award NSF CAREER Award. With this support, you will be able to expand the scale of testing and carry out long-term evaluations.
The goal now is to ensure that the technology can be applied on a large scale. To do this, it needs to be affordable, cost-effective and adaptable to different markets around the world.
A new path for civil construction
If validated and adopted on a mass scale, this new concrete could transform the construction industry. The impact goes beyond the technical aspect. It will affect the production model and the sector’s role in environmental issues.
The possibility of using a material that captures CO₂, is highly resistant and has low emissions is a real breakthrough. Something that can make a concrete contribution — no pun intended — to reducing the effects of global warming.
Khanzadeh’s proposal is still in the testing phase, but the initial results are encouraging. Stronger, more durable and cleaner concrete could be close to becoming a reality.
And if that happens, the construction industry could take an important step towards a more sustainable future.
If this is true, it will change a lot in our future…