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Finds a way to make cement stronger and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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After analyzing the molecular structure of the material, experts can derive a new formula that will help change the qualities of the material, as well as affect the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
In construction, the most common material is concrete, which is also one of the main contributors to global warming, producing 1/10 of the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
A recent study by experts has allowed scientists to develop a new technique that will significantly reduce greenhouse emissions (by about half).
In addition, having conducted a complex molecular analysis of the structure of concrete, experts came to the conclusion that it can be made more durable and resistant to damage. Concrete is made from sand, water and cement, for the production of cement, in turn, a mixture of two types of materials is used - one enriched with calcium (usually limestone), the second with silicon (usually clay). When the mixture is heated to 1500 0C, a solid mass is obtained, which is called clinker. It is during the production of building material (during heating, decarbonization) that most of the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere occur.
When analyzing the structure, scientists came to the conclusion that by reducing the amount of calcium in the material, it is possible not only to reduce emissions, but also to make the material stronger.
Cement is widely used on the planet, and as studies show, cement is used three times more often than steel. In ordinary cement, the ratio of calcium to silicon can fluctuate from about 1:1 to 2:1, with 1.7:1 considered the norm. However, a detailed comparison of the material with different ratios of molecular structures has never been conducted before. As the author of the study notes, he and his team created a database that included all chemical compositions, and it was possible to establish that the optimal ratio, which is currently used, is 1.5:1.
As the expert explained, if the ratio is changed, the molecular structure of the material begins to improve (from a tightly ordered crystalline structure to a chaotic glassy structure). In addition, specialists have found that with a ratio of 1.5 parts calcium and 1 part silicon, the mixture becomes twice as strong and acquires greater resistance to damage.
All the conclusions made by the experts were confirmed by a huge number of experiments.
During the production of cement, up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere, and by reducing the amount of calcium in the material, according to experts, CO2 emissions into the atmosphere will be significantly reduced. Scientists claim that carbon emissions will be reduced by 60% when producing cement with a reduced amount of calcium.
This work by the specialists represents the end of five years of joint work by specialists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), with Roland Peleng as the head of the scientific project.
Experts suggest that the new formula for producing cement, thanks to its high strength and resistance to various types of mechanical damage, could be of interest to gas and oil companies, where cement prevents leaks and breakthroughs from pipes.
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