A New 3D Printing Material for Construction Could Be Capable of Capturing CO₂

Oregon State University and Sandia National Laboratory have received a three-year, $540,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to explore whether it would be possible to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions before trapping its mineralized form in 3D printed construction materials. The researchers’ goal is to green an important sector of the economy, construction, which is one of the highest polluting. The study will be conducted by a team led by Pavan Akula, assistant professor of civil engineering at the OSU College of Engineering, and composed of researchers from Sandia, the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, and the two industrial partners, Graymont and Verdant Building Alternatives.

In recent years, the issue of global warming and the need to take measures to decrease global warming and protect the environment have been increasing. The construction industry alone is responsible for generating 13% of global CO₂ emissions. 3D printing is seen as a possible solution to the problem, and already we have seen a number of 3D printing projects with concrete over the years. Yet, according to the researchers who initiated this study, the problem could actually lie in the very material used. “In recent years, 3D-printing technology for concrete has been gaining popularity in building construction as it is a more sustainable alternative – it reduces both waste and transport costs. However, most 3D printing of concrete still relies only on traditional materials that are really carbon intensive,” commented Professor Pavan Akula.

Photo Credits: Oregon State University

Or more specifically, he is speaking about Portland cement, which was developed in England in the early 1800s. Currently, it is the most common type of binder used in concrete. It is usually produced by mining, grinding and heating clay and limestone in industrial kilns at temperatures up to 2,820 degrees Fahrenheit. The process alters the chemistry of the materials and creates “clinker,” the main component of cement. However, this process also generates large amounts of carbon dioxide. This is what the researchers are hoping to address.