About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biosustainable Materials for a Circular Economy
|
| Presentation Title |
Enzymatic Structural Materials |
| Author(s) |
Nima Rahbar |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nima Rahbar |
| Abstract Scope |
Producing structural materials with low energy is the fundamental leap in material science needed to reverse the related carbon emissions. A carbon-negative structural material with a high mechanical strength that can be produced on a large scale will provide a strong solution. We introduce an Enzymatic Structural Material (ESM) that utilizes a capillary suspension technique, combined with an enzyme mixture, to integrate precipitated calcium minerals into a sand and carbon matrix. ESM exhibits high water stability compared to other biologically inspired construction materials, with a mechanical strength of 26 MPa, making it a promising candidate for construction applications. Importantly, ESM production consumes 8.5 kg of CO2 per m3, in contrast to traditional concrete production, which emits approximately 400 kg of CO2 per m3, aligning with the need for low-carbon building solutions. Our findings confirmed that ESM is a promising structural material for advancing sustainable construction technologies. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Mechanical Properties, Biomaterials, Sustainability |