3D concrete printing method captures carbon dioxide
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have pioneered a 3D concrete printing method that incorporates carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce the environmental footprint of the construction industry.
This approach, detailed in Carbon Capture Science & Technology, aims to tackle the substantial carbon emissions from cement production, which accounts for 1.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 annually – around 8% of global emissions.
The process involves injecting CO2 and steam into the concrete mix during printing, enabling the material to sequester CO2 permanently. Lab tests demonstrated that the method not only enhances the material’s mechanical properties, increasing its compressive and flexural strength by up to 36.8% and 45.3% respectively, but also captures 38% more CO2 compared to conventional methods.
Lead researcher Professor Tan Ming Jen highlighted the dual benefits of the system, stating: “Our newly developed 3D concrete printing system offers a carbon reducing alternative by not only improving the mechanical properties of concrete but also contributing to reducing the sector’s environmental impact. It demonstrates the possibility of using CO2 produced by power plants or other industries for 3D concrete printing. Since traditional cement emits a lot of carbon, our method offers a way to plough back CO2 through 3D concrete printing.”
The researchers are optimistic about future advancements, including optimizing the system to use waste gases as a carbon source.
Journal Reference:
Sean Gip Lim, Yi Wei Daniel Tay, Suvash Chandra Paul, Junghyun Lee, Issam T. Amr, Bandar A. Fadhel, Aqil Jamal, Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Ming Jen Tan, ‘Carbon capture and sequestration with in-situ CO2 and steam integrated 3D concrete printing’, Carbon Capture Science & Technology 13, 100306 (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccst.2024.100306
Source: Nanyang Technological University
Holocene abrupt climate change: Revisiting the 4.2 ka event
Abrupt Climate Changes (ACCs) during the Holocene pose significant challenges for climate science and societal resilience.
Writing in PLOS Climate, researchers explore how the “impact sphere” of ACCs, where anomalies exhibit unusually large magnitudes, differs from the broader “detection sphere,” where smaller yet detectable climate anomalies might still drive ecosystem or societal changes.
The study critiques the inconsistencies in statistical syntheses versus individual studies on events like the 4.2 ka “Global Megadrought.” This drought, implicated in widespread societal upheavals, lacks a definitive driver and may reflect internal climate variability rather than an external forcing.
By distinguishing between impact and detection spheres, researchers aim to refine paleoclimate modeling and avoid biases that may overstate or misattribute climate effects. The framework offers new insights into evaluating the role of climate in past and future societal transitions, emphasizing the need for rigorous evaluation of local system resilience.
Journal Reference:
Scroxton N, McKay N, ‘The Hunt for Holocene Abrupt Climate Change’, PLOS Climate 3 (12): e0000547 (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000547
Source: PLOS
Snowpack changes signal earlier spring melt in northeastern U.S.
Snowpack dynamics are shifting in northeastern North America as regional climates warm, with significant implications for ecosystems and water resources.
A recent study published in PLOS Climate examines the interplay between changing precipitation patterns and snowpack ablation over the past five decades, revealing a trend toward earlier snowpack disappearance.
Researchers analyzed 56 years of weekly snow water equivalent (SWE) data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire. The study sites, which vary in elevation and aspect, were paired with daily climate measurements to investigate the timing of snowpack onset, maximum size, and disappearance.
The results show that maximum snowpack size and duration are shrinking across all sites. Snowpack duration has shortened by 4.3 to 9.6 days per decade, with the most dramatic declines observed at the warmest site. This reduction stems largely from an earlier snowpack disappearance, linked to diminished maximum snowpack sizes during winter.
Notably, trends in snowpack establishment dates vary by site. While the south-facing site shows a trend toward later snowpack establishment, the two north-facing sites exhibit no significant change. The timing of the maximum snowpack size also varies by elevation and aspect but has not changed at any of the sites.
The study also investigated the balance between precipitation form and snowpack melting. Using a 0°C threshold to differentiate between liquid and frozen precipitation, the researchers found a decrease in the proportion of precipitation falling as snow only at the warmer, south-facing site. In contrast, all sites experienced increases in snowpack ablation during the winter period, ranging from 0.4 cm per decade at the warmest site to 1.4 cm per decade at the coldest.
These findings suggest that rising air temperatures are making snowpacks more sensitive to melting, even before significant changes in precipitation form are observed. The south-facing site, with its smaller snowpack, shows only marginally significant trends in total winter ablation, potentially due to its limited capacity for snow retention.
Journal Reference:
Wilson G, Green M, Campbell J, Contosta A, Lany N, Bailey A, ‘Long-term measurements of seasonal snowpacks indicate increases in mid-winter snowmelt and earlier snowpack disappearance in the northeastern U.S.’, PLOS Climate 3 (12): e0000529 (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000529
Source: PLOS
Other science articles published this week
Breaking the Mold: Have gendered dynamics been overlooked in South Asian Adaptation Challenges?
Anjal Prakash (2024) | PLOS Climate | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000475
A multi-hazard perspective on equitable adaptation and how to assess it
Toon Haer, Marleen de Ruiter (2024) | PLOS Climate | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000521
Destination Earth: Considerations for a map to sustainable futures
Paulan Korenhof, Sanneke Kloppenburg (2024) | PLOS Climate | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000545
Population travel increases the risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection in the highland population of Gardula Zone, South Ethiopia: A longitudinal study
Muluken Assefa, Fekadu Massebo, Temesgen Ashine, Teklu Wegayehu (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0315900
Ambient pollution at hip fracture units and impact on mortality and post-operative delirium: A hormetic effect?
Chika Edward Uzoigwe, Rana Muhammad Anss Bin Qadir, Ahmed Daoub (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0315824
Improving prediction of solar radiation using Cheetah Optimizer and Random Forest
Ibrahim Al-Shourbaji, Pramod H. Kachare, Abdoh Jabbari, Raimund Kirner, Digambar Puri, Mostafa Mehanawi, Abdalla Alameen (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314391
Corporate digital transformation and carbon emission intensity: Empirical evidence from listed companies in China
Pengyu Yang, Kejia Guo, Jing Jia, Yulin Yin (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313870
Association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and violence cases in South Korea: A nationwide time-stratified care-crossover study
Jiwoo Park, Jieun Oh, Hyewon Yoon, Ayoung Kim, Cinoo Kang, Dohoon Kwon, Jinah Park, Ho Kim, Whanhee Lee (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315914
Spatiotemporal dynamics of grassland aboveground biomass in northern China and the alpine region: Impacts of climate change and human activities
Xinyun Wang, Ji Zhu, Peipei Pan (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315329
Why partner? Harnessing value from collaborative sustainable business models to restore coral reefs at scale
Taryn M. Kong, Bruce Taylor, Victoria Graham (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315094
The challenge of preventing extinctions: Lessons from managing threatened land snails on Norfolk Island
Isabel T. Hyman, Monique Van Sluys, Junn Kitt Foon, Nicholas A. Macgregor, Alexandra H. Anderson, Tara Patel, Tarryn Williams Clow, Melinda Wilson, Andrew Daly, Kerrie Bennison, Parnee Bonson, Simon Brown, Brendon Christian, Brett Finlayson, Nigel Greenup, Lilli-Unna King, Frank Köhler (2024) | PLOS ONE | DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314300
Genomic loci associated with grain protein and mineral nutrients concentrations in Eragrostis tef under contrasting water regimes
Alemu MD, Ben-Zeev S, Barak V, Tutus Y, Cakmak I and Saranga Y (2024) | Frontiers in Plant Science | DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1458408
Climate change disclosure and carbon performance of Chinese listed companies: exploring the moderating effects of climate governance and corporate environmental governance
Zhang S (2024) | Frontiers in Climate | DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2024.1469899
Applications of generative artificial intelligence to influence climate change decisions
Richards, D., Worden, D. (2024) | npj Climate Action | DOI: 10.1038/s44168-024-00202-5
Impact of urban biodiversity and climate change on children’s health and well being
Seastedt, H., Schuetz, J., Perkins, A. et al. (2024) | Pediatric Research | DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03769-1
Shifting and sharing power in urban climate justice work: experiments in transformative learning in Vancouver, Canada
Cole, L., Kozak, L. (2024) | npj Climate Action | DOI: 10.1038/s44168-024-00204-3
Responding to extreme climates
York, A. (2024) | Nature Reviews Microbiology | DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01146-7
Contribution of anthropogenic aerosol and greenhouse gas emissions to changes in summer upper-tropospheric thermal contrast between Asia and the North Pacific
Li, P., Zhou, B., Zhang, D. et al. (2024) | npj Climate and Atmospheric Science | DOI: 10.1038/s41612-024-00865-1
Unraveling the non-linear relationship between seasonal deformation and permafrost active layer thickness
Chang, T., Yi, Y., Jiang, H. et al. (2024) | npj Climate and Atmospheric Science | DOI: 10.1038/s41612-024-00866-0
Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
Cho, JH., Kim, HS. (2024) | npj Climate and Atmospheric Science | DOI: 10.1038/s41612-024-00850-8
Balancing sustainability goals and treatment efficacy for PFAS removal from water
Tushar, M.M.R., Pushan, Z.A., Aich, N. et al. (2024) | npj Clean Water | DOI: 10.1038/s41545-024-00427-1
Featured image credit: kjpargeter | Freepik
