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Good News

IISC Bengaluru Scientists Develop a Sustainable Alternative To Replace Sand in Construction

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, the scarcity of natural resources poses a significant threat to sustainable development. One such crucial resource, natural sand, essential in construction, is depleting rapidly. However, at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, a team of visionary scientists is tackling this issue head-on. Transforming Waste into Building Blocks Led by Assistant Professor Souradeep Gupta at IISc's Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), researchers are pioneering the utilization of captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial waste gases. By treating excavated soil and construction waste with CO2, they've devised a revolutionary method to create a viable alternative to natural sand. Enhancing Material Strength with CO2 The transformative potential of CO2-treated construction waste is remarkable. Through innovative processes, including curing in a CO2-rich environment, the material's compressive strength sees a substantial increase of 20-22%. Moreover, injecting CO2 into clay soil stabilizes it, improving its interaction with cement and lime and enhancing overall engineering performance. Pioneering 3D-Printable Eco-Materials Dr. Gupta's team isn't stopping there. They've developed 3D-printable materials using stabilized excavated soil combined with binders like cement, slag, and fly ash. These materials offer superior printability and have the potential to reduce the reliance on cement and sand by up to 50% each, paving the way for eco-friendly construction practices. Towards Industrial Adoption: Challenges and Opportunities As the research progresses, attention turns to the industrial scale. Future endeavors will explore the impact of industrial flue gas on these materials' properties, a crucial step towards widespread adoption. By aligning with the nation's decarbonization targets, this innovative approach not only addresses the sand scarcity crisis but also contributes to a greener, more sustainable future. The pioneering work of scientists at IISc that leads to the transformation of waste into valuable resources by harnessing CO2, lays the foundation for a greener tomorrow. By embracing these innovations, the construction industry can take a significant stride towards mitigating its environmental footprint and building a better world for generations to come. It's not just about constructing buildings; it's about constructing a future that's sustainable and resilient.

4 Apr 2024
Good News

Nature's Secret Weapon: Moss Absorbs 6x More CO2 Than Other Plants, New Study Finds

A new study has revealed the incredible carbon-absorbing capabilities of moss, with the tiny plant able to absorb up to six times more carbon dioxide (CO2) than other plants. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey, highlights the potential for moss to play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the study, moss is particularly effective at absorbing CO2 because of its unique structure and growth patterns. The plant can capture and store carbon in its leaves, stems, and roots, making it a highly effective carbon sink. The researchers note that the ability of moss to absorb CO2 could have significant implications for efforts to combat climate change. By promoting the growth of moss in areas with high levels of CO2 emissions, it may be possible to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and slow the pace of global warming. In addition to its carbon-absorbing capabilities, moss also has a range of other benefits for the environment. It helps to improve soil quality, prevent erosion, and promote biodiversity, making it an important component of many ecosystems. As scientists continue to explore the potential of moss as a tool for fighting climate change, it is clear that this tiny plant could play a critical role in securing a more sustainable future for our planet.

5 Jul 2023
Good News

Revolutionary Clean Fuel: Sun and Science Team Up to Turn CO2 and Plastic Waste into Sustainable Energy

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method for producing clean fuel by extracting carbon dioxide from the air and plastic waste using solar power. The process involves capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and then using it to synthesize a renewable fuel that can be used in jet engines, gas turbines, and other types of transportation. The researchers used a metal-organic framework (MOF) material that can capture CO2 from the air. The MOF is then exposed to sunlight, which triggers a chemical reaction that converts the CO2 into a liquid fuel. The process also involves using plastic waste as a source of hydrogen, which is added to the CO2 to produce the fuel. The new fuel has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as it uses waste plastic and carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The researchers estimate that the fuel could reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fossil fuels. The development of this new clean fuel technology is a major breakthrough in the fight against climate change. It offers a sustainable solution to the world's growing energy needs while reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. The researchers hope that this technology will help to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

22 Jun 2023
Good News

Nature's Secret Weapon That Offers Hope in the Fight Against Global Warming

Fungi could hold the key to mitigating global warming, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal Nature, reveals that fungi can store up to a third of all carbon emissions in the soil. This could be a game-changer for the fight against climate change. The study found that fungi play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by breaking down organic matter in the soil and storing carbon in the form of organic compounds. The researchers estimate that fungi store around 3.2 trillion kilograms of carbon, which is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by all human activity in a year. The findings suggest that protecting and restoring fungal communities could be an effective way to reduce carbon emissions and slow down the pace of global warming. The researchers also argue that fungi could be used to help restore degraded soils, which would have the added benefit of improving agricultural productivity. The study has been welcomed by environmental campaigners and scientists, who say that it provides further evidence of the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting natural ecosystems. They also stress the need for urgent action to tackle climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy.

14 Jun 2023
Good News

India's First Cool Roof Policy: A Game-Changer in the Fight Against Heat Stress

Telangana is set to become the first state in India to introduce a Cool Roof Policy, aimed at mitigating the impact of urban heat islands and heat stress. The policy, which will be launched by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao, will promote the use of cool roofs that reflect more sunlight than traditional roofs, absorbing less solar energy and reducing the temperature of buildings. The Telangana Cool Roof Policy 2023-28 aims to make the state more thermally comfortable and heat-resilient. It seeks to promote the adoption of cool roofs, create a supportive ecosystem of suppliers, trained manpower, and testing materials, and ensure that cool surfaces are accessible to everyone. The policy will also establish a system for monitoring and evaluating cool roof installations. By reducing CO2 emissions, the policy is expected to offset 30 million tCO2, and by keeping indoor temperatures 2.13 to 4.3 degrees Celsius lower than traditional roofs, it will result in cooler homes. Additionally, cool roofs require minimal maintenance and can save up to 20% in energy costs. The Telangana Cool Roof Policy is a step forward in addressing the challenges of urban heat islands and heat stress. It sets a precedent for other states in India to follow and highlights the importance of sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. By promoting cool roofs, Telangana is taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and comfortable environment for its residents.

3 Apr 2023
Good News

Global News

Going Green Even in Death: Introducing Water Cremation, the Eco-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Burials

Co-op Funeralcare, the UK's largest end-of-life service provider, has announced that it will soon offer "resomation" or water cremation, as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation methods. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, the process uses an alkaline solution to break down a human body into a skeleton in just four hours, with the bones then ground into a powder and placed in an urn for the family. The method uses five times less energy than traditional cremation and releases far fewer emissions. According to Euro News, 245 kilograms of CO2 and equivalents are released for every traditional cremation. The introduction of water cremation is a significant step towards greener funeral practices, and Co-op Funeralcare hopes it will provide people with another option for how they leave this world. Resomation was recently approved by regulators in the UK, and the funeral provider plans to introduce the practice later this year. Co-op Funeralcare's director of resomation company Kindly Earth, Julian Atkinson, said, "this natural process uses water, not fire, making it gentler on the body and kinder on the environment." The company's move towards greener end-of-life options reflects the growing trend of eco-friendly funeral practices. In the United States, companies like Better Place Forests are selling trees as gravestones in memorial forest preserves, with proceeds going towards protecting these forests forever. Additionally, in 2019, Washington state became the first in the nation to allow human composting. The rise of these eco-friendly options offers a new way of honoring loved ones while also reducing the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices.

17 Jul 2023
Global News

From Demolition to Innovation: Australia's Upcycle-a-Skyscraper Contest Saves Tons of CO2 Emissions

Australia has taken a bold step towards sustainability by repurposing its tallest building instead of demolishing it. The Capitol Grand building was turned into a more sustainable structure and saved an estimated 5,700 tons of CO2 emissions through a contest called Upcycle-a-Skyscraper. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) in collaboration with Lendlease and Arcadis came up with the idea of the contest. Architects and engineers from all over the world were challenged to find creative ways to transform the building into a more sustainable structure. Bates Smart, an Australian firm, won the contest with a proposal to repurpose the existing structure and add green spaces and renewable energy sources. The building now has solar panels, wind turbines, and a green roof that reduces the building's carbon footprint and improves its energy efficiency. The Upcycle-a-Skyscraper contest is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating sustainable solutions. By repurposing existing structures, we can reduce waste and save valuable resources while also reducing our impact on the environment. The success of the contest serves as an inspiration to other countries and developers around the world to prioritize sustainability in their building projects. With the threat of climate change, it is more important than ever to find innovative ways to reduce our carbon emissions and protect our planet. 

4 May 2023
Global News

Saving the Planet One Block at a Time: Finland's Carbon-Negative Replacement for Cement

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the world. However, its production contributes significantly to carbon emissions, making it one of the most carbon-intensive manufacturing methods. Researchers at VTT Technical Research Center in Finland are hoping to change this by creating carbon-negative concrete using a replacement for cement that can trap more CO2 than it takes to produce throughout its lifecycle. The researchers experimented with different substitutes and discovered that slag from blast furnace smelting when combined with bio-ash could replace cement in concrete. Powdered slag can absorb more carbon than cement, and the VTT team figured out how to deposit CO2 from the air into powdered slag before putting it in cast concrete. VTT senior scientist Tapio Vehmas said, “We have demonstrated in the pilot unit that our technology is capable of reducing the CO2 emissions of conventional concrete by 45%...by replacing Portland cement with slag.” Carbonaide, the VTT spin-out company, has secured nearly $2 million in funding to build a production center for its cast concrete blocks that will be capable of mineralizing “up to five tons of CO2 per day.” The development of carbon-negative concrete could have significant implications for the construction industry and the fight against climate change. As one of the most commonly used building materials, reducing the carbon footprint of concrete could significantly reduce overall carbon emissions. The success of VTT’s experiment and the subsequent funding of Carbonaide's production center could pave the way for other companies to adopt similar methods and contribute to the growing trend of sustainable construction practices.

2 Apr 2023
Global News

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