Concrete’s role in reducing building and pavement emissions

MIT researchers find emissions of U.S. buildings and pavements can be reduced by around 50 percent even as concrete use increases.

Andrew Logan | MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub • mit
Sept. 16, 2021 ~11 min

Visualizing cement hydration on a molecular level

Imaging technique could enable new pathways for reducing concrete’s hefty carbon footprint, as well as for 3-D printing of concrete.

Becky Ham | MIT News correspondent • mit
June 7, 2021 ~6 min


Curious Kids: Can plastic waste be made into bricks for new houses?

From larger-than-life Lego blocks to bird-nest inspired structures, researchers are finding innovative ways to reuse and recycle the plastic we throw away.

Karthikeyan Kandan, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, De Montfort University • conversation
April 19, 2021 ~5 min

The US just set ambitious offshore wind power targets – what will it take to meet them?

To increase renewable energy use, the Biden administration wants the US to go from seven offshore wind turbines today to enough to power 10 million homes within a decade.

Matthew Lackner, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst • conversation
March 31, 2021 ~8 min

How to make sure Biden's infrastructure plan can hold up to climate change – and save money

With adaptive design, infrastructure is ready to be expanded in the future. It's working for the Dutch.

Jeremy Bricker, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
March 30, 2021 ~8 min

Bendable concrete and other CO2-infused cement mixes could dramatically cut global emissions

Researchers are developing ways to lock captured CO2 into cement. It could help rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure and deal with climate change at the same time.

Volker Sick, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; DTE Energy Professor of Advanced Energy Research; and Director, Global CO2 Initiative, University of Michigan • conversation
Feb. 14, 2021 ~9 min

Living with natural gas pipelines: Appalachian landowners describe fear, anxiety and loss

Pipeline companies have run roughshod over several regions where they're building, racking up safety and environmental violations. Many residents feel trapped, with no control over their property.

Martina Angela Caretta, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Lund University • conversation
Feb. 3, 2021 ~10 min

After a record 22 billion-dollar disasters in 2020, it's time to overhaul US disaster policy – here's how

NOAA released its list of climate and weather disasters that cost the nation more than $1 billion each. Like many climate and weather events this past year, it shattered the record.

Deb Niemeier, Clark Distinguished Chair and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland • conversation
Jan. 8, 2021 ~11 min


After a record 22 billion-dollar disasters in 2020, it's time to make US disaster policy more effective and equitable – here's how

NOAA released its list of climate and weather disasters that cost the nation more than $1 billion each. Like many climate and weather events this past year, it shattered the record.

Deb Niemeier, Clark Distinguished Chair and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland • conversation
Jan. 8, 2021 ~11 min

Plastics could help build a sustainable future – here's how

Plastics are strong, durable, waterproof, lightweight, easy to mould, and recyclable – all key properties for construction materials.

Sibele Cestari, Research Fellow in Polymeric Materials, Queen's University Belfast • conversation
Aug. 12, 2020 ~8 min

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