Project Description
The production of concrete, the most widely used manufactured material worldwide, is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resulting in 9-10% of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Efforts for decarbonization in the concrete industry are still in a nascent stage, focusing primarily on CO2 mitigation strategies within the cement manufacturing process. Considering that the global demand for concrete will grow by as much as 38% by 2050, the vision of this project is to establish a multidisciplinary consortium between Universities, Research Centers and Non-profit Organization in the U.S. and European Union to enable cross-disciplinary scientific and use-inspired technological advancements that (i) significantly enhance concrete ability for carbon capture by incorporating carbon neutral waste materials and nanostructured materials with a high CO2 uptake potential; and (ii) develop a novel technology for renewable electricity and large-scale power production by engineering for the time concrete to absorb high amounts of thermal energy and directly convert it into usable electrical energy.
Tasks and Responsibilites
Students from the PI lab at UWM will collaborate with their counterparts in the EU in specific training and research for decoupling concrete manufacturing and global greenhouse gas emissions.
Desired Qualifications
None Listed.