(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
- Concrete Has A Dirty Little Secret. Can Biology Solve It?
Unless you are a particular kind of architecture nerd, you probably never think about concrete. The ancient building material is dull, heavy, and gray — not exactly inspiring. It forms the world ...
- 'Missing' Picasso Painting Spotted At Home Of Former Philippines First Lady
A Pablo Picasso painting that was thought to have been 'lost' has been spotted at the home of the Philippines' former first lady, Imelda Marcos. The painting, called Femme Couche VI (Reclining ...
- Scientists Create Sustainable Biocement Using Sludge And Mammal Urine
Scientists have created renewable biocement made from waste materials. The biocement was created by scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore and is a sustainable ...
- A concrete plan for sustainable living
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have found a way to transform urine and industrial waste into a renewable type of cement.
- Scientists create renewable biocement made entirely from waste materials
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.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Biocement
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Renewable cement
- Gautam Adani’s entry into cement may lead to further consolidation: Dalmia Bharat CFO
"We believe that the Adani-Holcim deal is positive for the industry. Post the deal, there is another announcement in which they intend to double the company capacity over the next 5 years. In that ...
- For clean air and a clean Chesapeake, electrify your lawn care
There’s a good chance, if you use a gas-powered lawn mower, that maintaining your lawn is worse for the environment than your morning commute.
- Andhra Pradesh CM performs First Concrete Pour for World's largest Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Project
S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, today performed the "first concrete pour ceremony" of the world's largest Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Project (IRESP); being ...
- Andhra Pradesh CM Performs 'concrete Pour' For Renewable Energy Storage Project in Kurnool
The 5,230 MW Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Project will play a pivotal role in India attaining energy security and enabling the global energy transition.
- ASX Renewable Energy Stocks: Energy Minister Angus Taylor to reveal new CCS projects amid industry backfire
ASX renewable energy stock CXL will develop a low emissions lime kiln for alumina, gold and other industries across Western Australia.
