Industrial partners at Cellucomp Ltd UK are working with engineers at Lancaster University to develop stronger concrete, using vegetables!
The idea behind devolving stronger concrete is not only for strength but also to develop much more environmentally friendly materials. This new concrete can reportedly be strengthened by using Nano platelets. These can be extracted from the fibres found in root vegetables, specifically carrots and sugar beets.
We aren’t too sure how the process works but we assume it’s incredibly complicated. The project is supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 project to reduce carbon emissions in the whole industry, Concrete currently accounts for 8% of global C02 emissions and is set to double in the next 30 years due to rising demand. ‘Eat your carrots otherwise you won’t grow up to be big and strong’ Could soon have a whole new meaning…
Take a look at the video below from Lancaster University who have explained the process and idea a lot better than we can!