Limestone calcined clay clinker cement receives funding
The Swiss Agency for Development (SDC) will provide approximately CHF4 million in funding to an EPFL-led consortium for the development of a new blend of low-carbon cement. The consortium includes partners from the Indian Institutes of Technology, as well as universities in Brazil and Cuba. The new cement substitutes half of the usual amount of Portland cement with clay and limestone. It is referred to as LC3 – limestone calcined clay clinker cement. According to the lead investigator, Karen Scrivener, the aluminates from the calcined clay react with the calcium carbonates in the limestone to form a less porous and thus stronger cement. The high substitution level will not affect the performance of the cement.
The funding provided by SDC will enable researchers to ramp up development and testing of LC3. Two industrial-scale pilot projects have already taken place in India and Cuba, and larger-scale production tests with industrial partners are now in the pipeline.
Naturally-grown bricks
Low-carbon bricks have been developed by biotechnology start-up bioMASON. Natural microorganisms and chemical processes are utilised to manufacture – or ‘grow’ – the bricks, which harden in less than five days. The concept was named as the winner of the 2013 Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.
Solar road panels
A crowdsourcing campaign has been launched to fund production of solar road panels. Developed by Julie and Scott Brusaw, the solar roadways technology could potentially generate electricity, light up road markings and even heat the road surface. A prototype car park is underway in the US.
Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham