When you were a kid, you were told to eat vegetables if you wanted to be big and strong. Sailor Popeye also reminds us to eat spinach if we want to pack a punch, but at the time, few engineers in Key could have imagined one. construction materials Specifically, adding vegetable ingredients, especially carrots and beets, is also beneficial. But that is the central idea of the engineering department at Lancaster University (UK).
Today, reinforced concrete can last almost 100 years before corrosion and cracking of the material and deterioration of embedded beams cause maintenance costs to hit the roof.Therefore, many scientists are studying new science and technology to improve its durability.Several latest research Suggested use implemented by the University of Exeter (UK) graphene Nanoplatelets for reinforcing concrete structures. That said, producing graphene on an industrial scale is still a relatively expensive and complicated process. improve recipes, future building materialsProfessor Mohamed Saafi, who is leading the project, wondered if using nanoplatelets synthesized from carrot and beet waste produced by the food industry would be a viable option.
Well, by adding them nano platelets He proved that cement mixtures can be a source of hydrated calcium silicate. It is he one of the hydration products used in the manufacture of Portland cement and is the secret to the hardness of concrete.
Professor Saafi and his team have shown that adding his nanoplatelets to a mixture can save 40 kilograms of Portland cement per cubic meter. concreteThe microstructure of the resulting material also has a higher level of density and improved resistance to corrosion.
The cement industry is one of the most polluting and water intensive industries, so reducing the amount of cement required in the mix and Durability of concrete A truly eco-friendly solution.
Finally, the team is also investigating the possibility of synthesizing nanoplatelet films that can be applied to existing concrete structures, thus exploiting their properties.
duct tape from wood
Carrots and beets aren’t the only plant kingdom raw materials being used to improve industrial processes. Lignin is a natural polymer found in trees that are typically discarded during paper manufacturing. But the University of Delaware (USA) has just filed a patent for a system that breaks down lignin molecules into small, sticky molecules, so the substance has other plans.
Their tests show that it is possible to create recyclable eco friendly duct tape It is as efficient as the conventional products already on the market. This material also allows the creation of bandages and plasters. Different levels of stickiness can be achieved as different tree species have different properties. In fact, in the distant future even tires may be made from lignin.
sauce: new atlas, science daily
