Sources: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; CP staff An investigation based at Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed the potential of portland cement, water and carbon black, a common industrial mineral resembling ultrafine charcoal, to create a supercapacitor material suited to low-cost storage of energy derived from solar, wind and tidal power sources. MIT and Harvard University researchers see the…
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MIT CLIMATE CONSORTIUM UNITES LAFARGEHOLCIM AND U.S. CORPORATE ELITE
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Climate and Sustainability Consortium (MCSC), launched late last month, convenes an alliance of leaders from a broad range of industries and aims to drive solutions addressing climate change threats. Organizers characterize the group as uniting “similarly motivated, highly creative and influential companies to work with MIT to build a process, market, and ambitious implementation strategy…
Read MoreLife-cycle perspective backs report on critical issues in building practices
A new report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-hosted Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), Critical Issues When Comparing Whole Building and Building Product Environmental Performance, addresses key concepts in quantifying the environmental impact of buildings and products comprising them. It also makes recommendations for current and future building practices using life cycle assessment (LCA), and offers suggestions for research to advance future study and practice.
Read MorePavement, materials specialist named Concrete Sustainability Hub co-director
Sources: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; CP staff
An engineer who researches the environmental and economic implications of materials selection in the manufacture and lifespan of products, Randolph Kirchain has been named co-director of the MIT-hosted Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) alongside Franz-Joseph Ulm, professor of Civil Engineering.
Read MoreMIT researchers model stronger cement on theory behind Corning Gorilla Glass
Sources: Concrete Sustainability Hub at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Corning Inc., New York; CP staff
Borrowing from a ‘rigidity theory’ that has led Corning Inc. engineers to the high performance Gorilla Glass—its toughness in thin sections equal to smartphone and laptop computer screens—the Concrete Sustainability Hub is studying potential portland cement reformulation aimed at higher fracture resistance than current ASTM C 150 product.
Read MoreConcrete Sustainability Hub responds to Obama Climate Action Plan challenges
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-hosted Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) released a statement last month after the White House outlined strategy to curtail greenhouse gas emissions.
Read MoreLife-cycle data specialist takes helm at CSHub
An engineer who studies materials’ economic and environmental implications, recycling and end-of-life recovery, Jeremy Gregory has been named executive director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-hosted Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), succeeding Hamlin Jennings.
Read MorePCA: Higher building standards align with Obama Climate Action Plan
Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
PCA and other concrete industry interests are urging enactment of H.R. 2241, the Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act of 2013, providing $25,000 and $3,000 tax credits, respectively, to business or home owners who rebuild in declared federal disaster areas.
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