Images of Research: Hope for humanity

’Cementing’ the future of sustainable construction

Category: Hope for humanity

                                                                                                                                       

A black and white 3D microscope image of a sphere made up of lots of little spheres covered in little specks resembling seeds

This microscope image shows a crystallised calcium carbonate sphere grown from bacteria, in the lab, in our quest to develop green technologies to strengthen soils and other materials. Inspired by shellfish’s ability to reinforce their shells and isolate irritants within, our research seeks to mimic their superior mechanical properties. With a particular focus on the construction industry, our ultimate aim is to create environmentally-friendly alternatives to cement.

Entrant: Marcella McIllroy , Civil and Environmental Engineering

Copyright: Marcella McIllroy

Funding: Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), grant no: EP/R513349/1

Collaborators: Dr. Paul R. Edwards

Links

Entrant profile: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/marcella-mcilroy