MIT’s Electron-conductive Cement-based Materials Hub (EC3 Hub) has entered a five-year research agreement with Aizawa Concrete Corp., aiming to explore multifunctional applications of concrete in infrastructure writes Andrew Paul Laurent for MIT News. This collaboration, facilitated by the MIT Industrial Liaison Program, marks a significant industry-academia partnership between MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) and a consortium led by Aizawa Concrete, renowned for sustainable concrete development.
The research under this agreement will primarily focus on two areas: developing self-heating pavement systems and energy storage solutions for sustainable infrastructure. By integrating carbon black-doped concrete with electrical currents, the EC3 Hub aims to create pavements capable of de-icing, potentially enhancing safety during icy conditions. Moreover, the technology could transform concrete into an energy storage medium, aiding renewable energy integration into the grid.
Yoshihiro Aizawa, CEO of Aizawa Concrete, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to revolutionize not only the construction industry’s decarbonization but also broader societal impacts. The ability to store energy within concrete could offer an alternative to traditional batteries, addressing resource scarcity concerns associated with lithium-ion cells.
Professor Admir Masic, the EC3 Hub’s founding faculty director, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in translating laboratory innovations into practical infrastructure solutions. Joined by MIT colleagues Franz-Josef Ulm and Yang Shao-Horn, Masic signed the agreement in Fukushima, Japan, symbolizing the international cooperation driving this research forward.
The EC3 Hub envisions a close partnership between MIT researchers and the Aizawa-led Japanese industry consortium to pioneer breakthrough innovations in multifunctional infrastructure systems. Leveraging MIT’s expertise and the industry’s resources, the Hub aims to accelerate the transition towards carbon neutrality and foster innovative solutions for sustainable infrastructure worldwide.
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https://news.mit.edu/2024/mit-conductive-concrete-consortium-research-agreement-japanese-industry-0503