Concrete Recycling
Recycled concrete is a cornerstone of sustainable construction. It reduces the environmental impact of new infrastructure projects by repurposing existing materials. However, challenges arise in ensuring the strength and durability of concrete made from recycled aggregates. MICP (Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation) technology addresses these concerns by fortifying recycled concrete with microbial-induced calcium carbonate which significantly improves its performance and durability.
Dust Suppressant
Various man-made activities such as construction, mining, agricultural practices, and vehicular traffic on unpaved roads; and natural phenomena like wind erosion emit dust. Dust emission has pervasive and multifaceted problems which affects human health, environmental quality and infrastructures. To circumvent these problems, dust suppressants are often used in dust prone areas and activities.
There has been a range of products that have been used as dust suppressant. Most of these dust suppressants are chloride-based salts and petroleum driven chemicals. However, due to a growing environmental concern (including water pollution) and safety, there is a need for biobased product which are pro-environment, safe to use and are sustainable. At Horizon Bioinnovation, we have developed a bio-based product (through fermentation process) which effectively suppress dust.
Dust surface
The pictures are taken after drying the samples. The sample treated with our product is less cracked than even when compared to one the most commonly used dust suppressant, MgCl2. This indicates better binding of the dust particles by our product.
After wind erosion
As can be seen in the picture, the water only sample has cracked and lost more particles compared to samples treated with MgCl2 and our product when exposed to wind. The wind erosion was in order of Water treated > MgCl2 treated > Our product treated.
Rust
Since the chloride-based chemicals are well known corrosives, we did not include it in this study. The rusting effect of our product is compared to that of water. As shown in the picture, our product is not only non-corrosive but also tends to protect rust formation. Picture taken after 1 month soaking.
Wetting and settling dust
As shown in the picture, the dust settles faster in Product 1 and Product 2. Product 1 and 2 are the same but product 1 is partially purified. The settled dust also expanded in volume which shows that the liquid has penetrated the dust particles.