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Lower CO<\/em>2<\/sub><\/em> emissions, enhanced performance and improved longevity are all on the horizon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The environmental impact of one of the world\u2019s most harmful materials could soon be dramatically improved with the simple addition of graphene manufactured by Nanotech Energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With just a few years, graphene-strengthened concrete could be widely used on construction sites around the world \u2013 potentially offering enormous benefits at stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Maher El-Kady, Nanotech Energy\u2019s chief technology officer, said: \u201cFirst, it (graphene) makes the concrete stronger. But there\u2019s more to it than muscle. When we add graphene or graphene oxide, it works like a super-fine sieve within the concrete, making the tiny spaces inside the cement even tinier. That\u2019s good news because it means water can\u2019t sneak in as easily, and less water means less chance of corrosion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After water, concrete is the most used material in the world. Each year, more concrete is used than all steel, wood, plastics, and aluminum added together. But this comes at a cost. For every pound of cement manufactured, 0.9 pounds of CO2<\/sub> is released into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The burden is so high that the International Energy Agency calculates that concrete accounts for 8% of all global CO2 <\/sub>emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. El-Kady said: \u201cLess cement equals less CO2<\/sub>. And because this super-charged concrete is stronger, we might not need to use as much steel to reinforce buildings and structures, which can also help reduce CO2<\/sub> emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAdding a tiny amount of graphene to concrete \u2013 less than 0.1% of the whole mix \u2013 could cut its carbon footprint by 25-33%. That might not sound like a lot, but it could reduce the world\u2019s carbon emissions by 2%. That\u2019s a big deal for fighting climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While adding graphene to traditional concrete mixes will incur a small increase in costs, Dr. El-Kady insists the difference will be marginal. \u201cIt won\u2019t break the bank,\u201d he said. \u201cFurthermore, at Nanotech Energy we\u2019re actively making strides in reducing the costs associated with graphene manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding graphene to concrete is also unlikely to add any noticeable delays in production times, leaving the entire construction industry standing on the cusp of generational change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf things keep moving positively, we might start seeing graphene products being used more widely in the next 5-10 years as it becomes cheaper and gets the regulatory nod.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The power of graphene to transform 21st-century technologies stretches well beyond batteries<\/a> \u2013 and Nanotech Energy is set to be at the forefront of these revolutionary changes. To find out more about potential partnership opportunities with Nanotech Energy in 2024 and beyond, please contact us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n