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Cement Is Stronger When Its Molecules Are Busted

Stashed in: Ecology!, Science!, Awesome, Innovation, Stronger!, Chemistry


Better living through chemistry!

The cement industry in the US contributes about 3.5 percent of the country’s emissions. Worldwide, the industry contributes to about 5 percent of all emissions.

So, even though concrete mixing facilities don’t blight the landscape like smoking oil refineries or jammed freeways, they are ripe for sustainable innovations. Like this one: Use less concrete by making it stronger. Ironically, this strength could come by making cement—the chemically-reactive powder that forms a brittle paste when exposed to water—with more molecular defects.

I didn't realize that less concrete makes it stronger. Seems like a win-win.

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