A 2,000-year-old Roman observation about volcanic ash is inspiring researchers to reinvent cement and slash its carbon footprint.
Cement is known for producing a significant amount of carbon emissions that pose a threat to the environment. That, however, could change following a unique discovery involving ancient times.Tiziana Vanorio, a Stanford assistant professor, relies on a novel observation made by Roman author Pliny the Elder in 79.
A.D. Aided by other team members, she uses volcanic chemistry to reinvent cement with a drastically low carbon footprint.What did Pliny say?Penning his observations in Naturalis Historia, Pliny wrote:“Who, indeed, cannot be surprised at finding the most inferior constituent parts of it , known as ‘dust’ only, forming a barrier against the waves of sea, becoming changed into stone the moment of its immersion, and increasing hardness from day to day?”In a nutshell, the Roman naturalist described volcanic ash from Puteoli. It is also called pozzolana, as modern Pozzuoli is the historical Puteoli, which can transform solid stone when immersed in water.This property helps build structures that boast commendable endurance, like the Pantheon in Greece, whose concrete dome still stands nearly 2,000 years later.Cement is often the backbone for skyscrapers. It’s produced when limestone is heated above 1,400 degree Celsius and forced into a process called calcination. The high heat produces nearly 8 percent of global CO₂, making it one of the largest contributors to global warming.How can Pozzuoli help?Earlier, a fibre-reinforced, concrete-like rock was discovered beneath Campi Flegrei, a supervolcano in southern Italy. Similar to Roman concrete, this rock was the reason why the ground below the town of Pozzuoli rose in height by several meters in the 1980s.Vanorio drew inspiration from Pozzuoli in the Phlegrean Fields and discovered how to harness and process a mix design using rocks that are far more abundant than typical volcanic ash and have already been heated naturally.Post this process, the rocks no longer contain carbonate that releases CO₂ when heated.“Earth does it,” Vanorio said. “I was inspired by how nature cements rocks, but together with my colleagues, we used science and engineering to take it further.”Vanorio’s lab has found a way to turn crushed volcanic rocks into a new type of cement that naturally grows tiny fibers inside—similar to how rocks form in nature.Unlike regular concrete, which uses steel bars for strength, this material builds its internal structure. Vanorio and her team have also started a company called Phlego, which will use this Stanford technology to bring the eco-friendly cement to the market.Alberto Salleo, professor of material sciences, and Matteo Cargnello, associate professor of chemical engineering, are also working with Vanorio on this project.Reviving ancient wisdom to tackle modern climate challenges is both fascinating and promising. Vanorio’s work shows potential to reduce cement’s carbon impact, though large-scale adoption will take time. Still, drawing from nature and history to build a greener future is an inspiring and much-needed step forward.
Green Cement Green Energy Rome Skyscrapers Sustainability Volcano Volcanos
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