Bringing a greener option in construction, Seratech has created bricks using a process that captures CO2 from factories and stores it in the brick. The climate technology startup is testing the new brick to make sure it works well for the construction of buildings.
The brick is a product of 18 months of research funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
From industrial to sustainable revolution
They use a magnesium carbonate binder to make the brick. This material is created through a unique process called carbon capture, mineralization, and utilization (CCMU).
In simple terms, this process captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial chimneys or flues instead of letting these emissions go into the air. The CCMU process stores the CO2 in the brick itself. This way, the brick helps in reducing the environmental impact of CO2 emissions by keeping them trapped within the structure it's a part of, like a building or wall.
Regular bricks need very high heat to be made, approximately 1200 degrees Celsius (°C), but Seratech's bricks only need lower heat and some time to get strong. They bake the bricks overnight at a lower temperature and let them sit for a few weeks. It's a different and more eco-friendly way to make bricks.
“The impact of cement emissions has been well documented, but less frequently discussed are the emissions associated with clay-fired bricks of which millions are used in the UK every year – take a look at Battersea Power Station,” said Barney Shanks, the Chief Technical Officer at Seratech.
Commercializing the carbon-neutral brick
To commercialize the carbon-neutral brick, Seratech is working together with a team of architects at London-based Carmody Groarke. This collaboration has received financial support in the form of a Design Exchange Partnership grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Essentially, this grant helps fund the partnership between Seratech and the architects to further develop and bring the innovative brick to the market. It provides resources for research, development, and the practical aspects of turning the concept into a commercially successful and widely available construction product.
“It’s wonderful to be working towards something that will hopefully make a difference to carbon emissions in the long run,” said Caitlin Howe, Seratech’s Technical Director. ”Knowing there is scope for this product to change the entire industry is incredibly exciting and spurs you on. It really looks and feels like a conventional brick.”
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article