Low carbon-footprint cementitious materials

Unmet Need: An eco-friendly and low-carbon-footprint material comparable in strength and durability to regular concrete

Today’s society desires to reduce the continuously increasing carbon footprint on our planet, and the industry is hungry for the introduction of eco-friendly solutions for the built environment, without compromising the strength and durability of the concrete being used for infrastructure and construction projects.

The Technology: Environmentally friendly carbon-negative cementitious composites using engineered biochar to replace up to 30 wt.% cement

WSU inventors have developed a novel approach to capture carbon dioxide within cementitious concrete with an infusion of biochar in alkali wastewater (e.g., concrete washout water). Converting biomass to biochar can reduce about 0.4-1.2 tons of CO₂ emissions for one ton of dry feedstock. Using this technology, the biochar is capable of absorbing a notable amount of CO₂, resulting in the production of carbon-negative concrete with comprehensive and flexural strengths and durability performance comparable to ordinary concrete while contributing to the mission of a zero-carbon built environment.

Applications:

• Platform technology for a diverse range of engineering applications
• Environmentally friendly construction that features carbon credit
• Sustainable infrastructure applications

Advantages:                       

• Produces strong & durable yet greener concrete
• Contributes to carbon sequestration by the built environment
• Diverts waste streams to production of beneficial materials
• Upcycles two types of waste: biochar and alkaline wastewater

Patent Information:

Provisional Patent has been filed.