Thinking space technology
Mighty Leightweight
Carbon reinforced concrete is a building material that can radically change the building industry. It consists of fine carbon fibres and a very thin layer of concrete.
The construction industry is in search for materials to replace traditional reinforced concrete. The production of the latter requires the extraction of very large quantities of raw materials, like sand, that are becoming increasingly scarce. Fifty percent less energy and raw materials are used when building with carbon reinforced concrete. Carbon reinforcement is four times lighter and up to six times more stable than steel. Wide pans are possible.
The production of carbon still requires crude oil. In the lab, however, it can be made from timber waster or from CO2 sucked from the air. In addition, researchers are already succeeding in making carbon reinforced concrete recyclable.