Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CONTRABASS (zero-CO2 cemeNt ThRough cArBonation of cAlcium Silicates and aluminateS)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-12-31
According to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) cement is consumed at a rate of ~150 tonnes each second, and it accounts for approximately 8% of all CO2 emissions and 7% of industry energy use. In order to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of concrete, Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) is the best available strategy: the GCCA estimates that CCU technologies will represent up to 42% of the CO2 reductions necessary to reach the net zero industrial objective in 2050.
The CONTRABASS MSCA-DN will act in this framework, in the pathway towards the zero-CO2 cement and concrete production, building a high-quality doctorate network (DN) to investigate the fundamental physico-chemical processes governing the carbonation of the clinker phases and the cement paste, as well as the subsequent formation of Calcium Carbonate Cements (CCCs). The carbonation ability of clinker and cement is well known, yet for a full implementation of CCCs by 2050, there is an urgent need of fundamental knowledge on the carbonation process.
In this scenario, the CONTRABASS DN aims to contribute to the global reduction of CO2 emissions by accelerating the implementation of CCCs, developing fundamental knowledge, practical know-how, and a generation of well-trained specialists to overcome the main challenges identified by our industrial and academic partners.
CONTRABASS has 5 main objectives:
1. Identify the carbonation mechanisms of the clinker components, specially calcium aluminates
2. Understand the carbonation processes of the C-S-H gel and the cement paste
3. Unravel the factors that govern CaCO3 polymorphism, nucleation and growth rates
4. Build databases for thermodynamic and reactive-transport modelling of carbonation
5. Communicate effectively the benefits of CCCs to society, media and policy makers
By establishing a highly skilled network of doctoral researchers, CONTRABASS not only seeks to advance scientific understanding but also to foster a generation of specialists who can drive the industry toward greener practices. The outcomes of this project will contribute directly to the European Union’s climate goals, supporting a transition to a low-carbon economy and setting a new standard for sustainable construction
The CONTRABASS MSCA-DN will act in this framework, in the pathway towards the zero-CO2 cement and concrete production, building a high-quality doctorate network (DN) to investigate the fundamental physico-chemical processes governing the carbonation of the clinker phases and the cement paste, as well as the subsequent formation of Calcium Carbonate Cements (CCCs). The carbonation ability of clinker and cement is well known, yet for a full implementation of CCCs by 2050, there is an urgent need of fundamental knowledge on the carbonation process.
In this scenario, the CONTRABASS DN aims to contribute to the global reduction of CO2 emissions by accelerating the implementation of CCCs, developing fundamental knowledge, practical know-how, and a generation of well-trained specialists to overcome the main challenges identified by our industrial and academic partners.
CONTRABASS has 5 main objectives:
1. Identify the carbonation mechanisms of the clinker components, specially calcium aluminates
2. Understand the carbonation processes of the C-S-H gel and the cement paste
3. Unravel the factors that govern CaCO3 polymorphism, nucleation and growth rates
4. Build databases for thermodynamic and reactive-transport modelling of carbonation
5. Communicate effectively the benefits of CCCs to society, media and policy makers
By establishing a highly skilled network of doctoral researchers, CONTRABASS not only seeks to advance scientific understanding but also to foster a generation of specialists who can drive the industry toward greener practices. The outcomes of this project will contribute directly to the European Union’s climate goals, supporting a transition to a low-carbon economy and setting a new standard for sustainable construction
During the reporting period, CONTRABASS progressed achieving different types of results, scientific, of training and of dissemination which are described below:
- Scientific results: These results are aligned with the scientific and technical objectives through coordinated experimental and modelling activities across the work packages, focusing on clinker and cement paste carbonation mechanisms and on calcium carbonate nucleation/polymorphism in cement-relevant chemistries. Key technical achievements include:
(i) the development and validation of a C(-A)-S-H synthesis protocol (Deliverable D2.3) enabling reproducible preparation of model gels for carbonation studies, together with supporting methodological documentation and experimental datasets generated in WP2 (Deliverable D2.1)
(ii) the establishment of a multiscale computational framework for clinker carbonation, including benchmarking of carbonation mechanisms for C3S/C3A interfaces (Deliverable D1.1);
(iii) the execution of first flow-through carbonation experiments on C-S-H/C-A-S-H in an industrially relevant setup, combining solubility measurements and advanced solid-state characterisation (including ^29Si and ^27Al NMR capability);
(iv) the development of reproducible solution-based (wet) carbonation protocols for hydrated cement paste and preparation of representative fractions from blended cements for subsequent semi-wet carbonation testing;
(v) the generation of validated mechanistic and thermodynamic insights supporting “calcium carbonate engineering”, including quantitative understanding of polymorph stability (calcite/aragonite/vaterite) and the role of minor elements/solution chemistry in nucleation and phase selection, with outputs consolidated in WP3 technical deliverables (Deliverables D3.2 and D3.4).
There are not yet any publications but several manuscripts are under review.
- Training results: A comprehensive training programme was carried out that fully spaned technical competencies and transferrable skills of the doctoral candidates. This training was delivered through Residential Schools and Workshops, where the DCs engaged in a combination of structured teaching and hands-on training activities.
Four Training weeks took place every 6 months that include a Residential School, a Training Activity and a Workshop:
Training week 1
• Residential School 1, Introduction to cement science; research skills. Focused on focus on numerical modelling techniques relevant for cement chemistry, with focus on carbonation processes, including ab-initio, molecular dynamics (MD), kinetic Monte Carlo, and thermodynamic modelling. Key research skills supported by exercises in topics including literature searching and organisation; research data management; scientific writing (including LaTeX) and the publication process.
• Workshop 1, Greener construction materials: in which applications, technical challenges and strategies associated with achieving net-zero CO 2 emissions from the cement cycle were discussed. This workshop exposed DCs to the live issues faced by the industrials that the DCs can consider and seek solution to during their research.
Training week 2
• Residential School 2, Research: Materials characterisation, science of characterisation techniques. Focused on advanced materials characterisation methods appropriate to cement. Methods covered: differential scanning calorimetry; optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, High Energy X-ray diffraction, and NMR methods including 1H relaxometry and imaging. The training activities focus on data presentation, including statistical analysis and uncertainty, and graphical work.
The school included a visit to the ESFR in Grenoble, where the DCs had the opportunity to know by first-hand researchers some of the techniques used there.
• Workshop 2, The durability problem. in which the factors that impact material quality were explored.
Training week 3
• Residential School 3, Industrial research and applications. in which there were training activities on Ethics in Science and Unconscious Bias. DCs were given insight into working in different types of organisation, and business game associated with establishing a SME was organized. DCs were also led through the stages of ‘structured creativity’.
The school included a tour of a cement plant.
• Workshop 3, Cement and concrete recycling – industry issues in which industry speakers explained the practical aspects of recycling waste cement products and lead the discussion on how challenges may be addressed.
Training week 4
• Residential School 4, The social life of materials and materiality in which the social life of materials and materiality were addressed. The topic were: 1) anthropology of technology and infrastructure, 2) introduction to citizen science and public understanding of science and technology, with element of participatory action research.
• Workshop 4. Citizen science and public participation. The training explained why outreach and impact are required for the advancement of publicly funded science and technology research and the need for the DC to justify their funding.
The final day was allocated for the DCs to build on the training to produce their final project for YouTube. DCs had the opportunity to have access to a webinar studio to prepare their work.
In parallel, DCs undertook secondments at academic and industrial partner organisations to apply and extend these skills through collaborative research aligned with their individual projects.
- Dissemination results: first results were presented in scientific conferences, such as the 4th ICSBM conference, the 5th ICCCM and the Shaping the fate of Low Carbon Cement Science conference.
- Scientific results: These results are aligned with the scientific and technical objectives through coordinated experimental and modelling activities across the work packages, focusing on clinker and cement paste carbonation mechanisms and on calcium carbonate nucleation/polymorphism in cement-relevant chemistries. Key technical achievements include:
(i) the development and validation of a C(-A)-S-H synthesis protocol (Deliverable D2.3) enabling reproducible preparation of model gels for carbonation studies, together with supporting methodological documentation and experimental datasets generated in WP2 (Deliverable D2.1)
(ii) the establishment of a multiscale computational framework for clinker carbonation, including benchmarking of carbonation mechanisms for C3S/C3A interfaces (Deliverable D1.1);
(iii) the execution of first flow-through carbonation experiments on C-S-H/C-A-S-H in an industrially relevant setup, combining solubility measurements and advanced solid-state characterisation (including ^29Si and ^27Al NMR capability);
(iv) the development of reproducible solution-based (wet) carbonation protocols for hydrated cement paste and preparation of representative fractions from blended cements for subsequent semi-wet carbonation testing;
(v) the generation of validated mechanistic and thermodynamic insights supporting “calcium carbonate engineering”, including quantitative understanding of polymorph stability (calcite/aragonite/vaterite) and the role of minor elements/solution chemistry in nucleation and phase selection, with outputs consolidated in WP3 technical deliverables (Deliverables D3.2 and D3.4).
There are not yet any publications but several manuscripts are under review.
- Training results: A comprehensive training programme was carried out that fully spaned technical competencies and transferrable skills of the doctoral candidates. This training was delivered through Residential Schools and Workshops, where the DCs engaged in a combination of structured teaching and hands-on training activities.
Four Training weeks took place every 6 months that include a Residential School, a Training Activity and a Workshop:
Training week 1
• Residential School 1, Introduction to cement science; research skills. Focused on focus on numerical modelling techniques relevant for cement chemistry, with focus on carbonation processes, including ab-initio, molecular dynamics (MD), kinetic Monte Carlo, and thermodynamic modelling. Key research skills supported by exercises in topics including literature searching and organisation; research data management; scientific writing (including LaTeX) and the publication process.
• Workshop 1, Greener construction materials: in which applications, technical challenges and strategies associated with achieving net-zero CO 2 emissions from the cement cycle were discussed. This workshop exposed DCs to the live issues faced by the industrials that the DCs can consider and seek solution to during their research.
Training week 2
• Residential School 2, Research: Materials characterisation, science of characterisation techniques. Focused on advanced materials characterisation methods appropriate to cement. Methods covered: differential scanning calorimetry; optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, High Energy X-ray diffraction, and NMR methods including 1H relaxometry and imaging. The training activities focus on data presentation, including statistical analysis and uncertainty, and graphical work.
The school included a visit to the ESFR in Grenoble, where the DCs had the opportunity to know by first-hand researchers some of the techniques used there.
• Workshop 2, The durability problem. in which the factors that impact material quality were explored.
Training week 3
• Residential School 3, Industrial research and applications. in which there were training activities on Ethics in Science and Unconscious Bias. DCs were given insight into working in different types of organisation, and business game associated with establishing a SME was organized. DCs were also led through the stages of ‘structured creativity’.
The school included a tour of a cement plant.
• Workshop 3, Cement and concrete recycling – industry issues in which industry speakers explained the practical aspects of recycling waste cement products and lead the discussion on how challenges may be addressed.
Training week 4
• Residential School 4, The social life of materials and materiality in which the social life of materials and materiality were addressed. The topic were: 1) anthropology of technology and infrastructure, 2) introduction to citizen science and public understanding of science and technology, with element of participatory action research.
• Workshop 4. Citizen science and public participation. The training explained why outreach and impact are required for the advancement of publicly funded science and technology research and the need for the DC to justify their funding.
The final day was allocated for the DCs to build on the training to produce their final project for YouTube. DCs had the opportunity to have access to a webinar studio to prepare their work.
In parallel, DCs undertook secondments at academic and industrial partner organisations to apply and extend these skills through collaborative research aligned with their individual projects.
- Dissemination results: first results were presented in scientific conferences, such as the 4th ICSBM conference, the 5th ICCCM and the Shaping the fate of Low Carbon Cement Science conference.
There is no results beyond the state of the art to be described yet.