Project description
Unveiling marine organisms’ lunar rhythms and the impact of light pollution
Home insulation materials can be harmful to the environment. Examples include mineral wool and polystyrene, which not only produce a lot of CO2 during their production, but also trap stale air inside. This makes rooms feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EcoVerse project is developing lightweight concrete blocks made with biochar. This is a natural, carbon-rich material that actually captures more carbon than it releases. Packed with up to 75 % biochar, these blocks keep homes warm while helping to filter and freshen the indoor air. By combining clever science with sustainable materials, EcoVerse is creating healthier, greener homes for the future.
Objective
Conventional thermal insulation materials like mineral wools, polyurethane, and polystyrene foams are widely used in Europe, but their production significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, generating up to 6.9 times CO2. Additionally, these materials impede air circulation in buildings, leading to poor indoor air quality and discomfort. This project seeks to address the need for carbon-neutral or carbon-negative building materials that not only provide thermal insulation but also enhance indoor air quality through effective air filtration. The focus of this research is on developing lightweight indoor concrete blocks utilizing biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis. Biochar can sequester up to 2.6 times its own weight of CO2 while offering exceptional properties such as air filtration, acoustics, and thermal insulation. The project aims to maximize biochar content in concrete blocks to 50 to 75 vol% to achieve superior air filtration and thermal comfort while maintaining adequate mechanical performance. The methodology involves developing granulated biochar aggregates and combining them with low-carbon binders and biochar fines to develop lightweight, carbon-negative concrete blocks. Various mix designs, curing conditions, and additives will be explored to optimize the blocks' physical, mechanical, and durability properties. Advanced analytical techniques, including microstructural studies and multiscale modelling, will be employed to understand and validate the blocks' performance. This project has the potential to significantly advance sustainable building practices by developing a novel material that aligns with EU sustainability goals, the Paris Agreement, and the European Green Deal. By integrating biochar into building materials, this research offers an innovative approach to improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency, contributing to healthier and more sustainable living environments.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences polyurethane
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids organic amorphous solids
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
64289 Darmstadt
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.