The new cement includes a hydrogel that mimics the structures of plant stems and pems the fastest movement of ions.
A team of Chinese researchers has developed an innovative cement -based material that not only supports structures but also generates and store electricityan innovation that can revolutionize urban infrastructures and the conception of intelligent cities. The discovery is reported in a published in Science Bulletin.
The material is a compound of cement-hydrogel inspired by the structures in layers found in the stems of the plants. In integrating hydrogel layers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with traditional cement, the team has exceeded a longtime limitation: the low mobility of ions in the dense cement matrices.
Cement naturally has ionic thermoelectric properties – its ability to convert heat into electricity. However, this effect has been historically too weak to have practical applications due to the slow movement of ions. “The isolation of the pores through the dense matrix of the cement prevents rapid transportation of ions”The researchers observed, limiting the increase in the material coefficient of the material, a measure of thermoelectric efficiency.
The new composite reaches a SEEBECK coefficient of -40.5 mV/k and a merit figure (ZT) of 6.6 × 10 -² -10 and 6 times higher, respectively, to the previous thermoelectric materials based on cement. These gains are possible thanks to the multi -charged design: the hydrogel layers serve as rapid driving roads For hydroxide ions (OH-), while cement layers immobilize calcium (ca²⁺), creating a sharp contrast in the mobility of ions.
In addition to its power generation capabilities, the material also stores energy. This double functionality means that future buildings, bridges and roads can incorporate this material to Food incorporated sensors or communication devices without depending on external energy sources, explains the.
Innovation will be one of the main topics of this year’s Global Synthetic Biology Conference, during a session on the reduction of carbon emissions from the concrete industry. Experts will explore the way bioengineering materials, such as this composite-hydrogel composite, can contribute to a sustainable construction.
