(from left to right) Dr Wu Shifan, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Solutions, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTU and Professor Chu Jian, Chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTU holding up blocks of biocement made from urea and carbide sludge.
CREDIT: Credit to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have found a way to create biocement from waste, making the alternative to regular cement even greener and more sustainable.
Biocement is a renewable form of cement that typically uses bacteria to form a hardening reaction that binds soil into a solid block.
The NTU scientists have now managed to use two common waste materials, industrial carbide sludge and urea—from the urine of mammals—to create biocement.
They developed a process in which the reaction of urea with calcium ions in industrial carbide sludge forms a hard solid, or precipitate. When this reaction takes place in soil, the precipitate bonds soil particles together and fills the gaps between them, creating a compact mass of soil. This results in a strong, sturdy and less permeable block of biocement.
The research team, led by Professor Chu Jian, Chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, showed in a proof-of-concept research paper published in February 2022 in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering that their biocement could potentially become a sustainable and cost-effective method for soil improvement, such as strengthening the ground for use in construction or excavation, controlling beach erosion, reducing dust or wind erosion in the desert, or building freshwater reservoirs on beaches or in the desert.
It can also be used as biogrout to seal cracks in rock for seepage control and even to touch up and repair monuments like rock carvings and statues.
“Biocement is a sustainable and renewable alternative to traditional cement and has great potential to be used for construction projects that require the ground to be treated,” said Prof Chu, who is also the Director of NTU’s Centre for Urban Solutions. “Our research makes biocement even more sustainable by using two types of waste material as its raw materials. In the long run, it will not only make it cheaper to manufacture biocement, but also reduce the cost involved for waste disposal.”
Original Article: NTU Singapore scientists create renewable biocement entirely out of waste material
More from: Nanyang Technological University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Biocement
- Gadgets Singapore
A team of researchers from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU Singapore) have discovered a way to make biocement from trash. Biocement is a type of renewable cement that binds ...
- bioLITH in Medium Grey Standard Effect and Polished Finish
The process of growing biocement™ materials is similar to hydroponics- whereby aggregates mixed with the microorganism are fed an aqueous solution, and allowed to harden to ASTM specification.
- bioLITH in Natural Color, Signature Effect and Polished Finish
The process of growing biocement™ materials is similar to hydroponics- whereby aggregates mixed with the microorganism are fed an aqueous solution, and allowed to harden to ASTM specification.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Biocement
[google_news title=”” keyword=”biocement” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Renewable cement
- The road to low-carbon concrete
The carbonate-rich rock is ground up and placed in the kiln along with clay, which fuses with the quicklime and contributes minerals that will eventually help the concrete resist cracks and weathering ...
- Texans affected by pollution from concrete plants push state agency to tighten regulations
As the state’s environmental agency weighs new pollution limits on the plants, several lawmakers have filed bills that would put new restrictions on the facilities.
- This is why it’s time to revisit New Jersey’s clean energy options | Opinion
Unlike other clean energy sources, nuclear plants emit water vapor and warm water when cooling reactors, not carbon dioxide. They also use less carbon emitting resources, such as cement, when ...
- The crucial need for energy storage is key to the future of clean energy
That pile of concrete blocks is potential energy sitting there ... So the experts say that we could probably convert the grid 80% to renewable - that's wind and solar - without having to deal with ...
- James City County board approves pair of new businesses, postpones vote on concrete company permit
Industrial development along Blow Flats Road has again raised concerns about the use of a road deemed unsuitable for large trucks.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Renewable cement
[google_news title=”” keyword=”renewable cement” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
