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Chris Remington ( remington@beehaw.org ) MA to Science · 17 days ago

Scientists Are Making Concrete With Human Poop – And It Gets 42% Stronger

www.sciencealert.com

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Scientists Are Making Concrete With Human Poop – And It Gets 42% Stronger

www.sciencealert.com

Chris Remington ( remington@beehaw.org ) MA to Science · 17 days ago
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Concrete is, quite literally, the foundation of the modern world.
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  • ruuster13 ( ruuster13@lemmy.zip ) 
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    17 days ago

    A whole generation of contractors will be slapping buildings and saying “stuff’s strong as shit.”

  • Delilah ( Delilah@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) 
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    17 days ago

    ‘Burned’ human poop.

    They are adding biochar, not fresh, steaming shit.

    • Che Banana ( The_Che_Banana@beehaw.org ) 
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      17 days ago

      …awwwwwwwwwww

      Mannnnnnnnn…you hadda go and spoil it…

  • gastroglizzy ( gastroglizzy@piefed.social ) 
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    17 days ago

    If you make a pillar out of this stuff, then put it in the ground, is that a shit post?

  • Aussiemandeus ( Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone ) 
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    17 days ago

    Finally can shit bricks

  • csolisr ( csolisr@hub.azkware.net ) 
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    17 days ago

    A shame they missed the IgNobels by this much, maybe next year

  • QuentinCallaghan ( QuentinCallaghan@sopuli.xyz ) 
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    17 days ago

    So if you add carrots into concrete with poop, it will become even more stronger?

    https://www.dezeen.com/2018/08/09/carrots-concrete-stronger-lancaster-university-technology/

    Concrete mixtures could be strengthened by adding nanoparticles extracted from carrots and other root vegetables, research currently underway at England’s Lancaster University suggests.

    Preliminary tests by the university’s engineers found that “nano platelets” sourced from the fibres of these vegetables “significantly improved” the strength of concrete — and at a low cost.

    • naeap ( naeap@sopuli.xyz ) 
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      17 days ago

      And wasn’t rice the secret ingredient in the concrete of the great wall?

      Maybe we can’t add too much stuff, because we actually also need the cement and stuff…

  • wyldrstallyns ( wyldrstallyns@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) 
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    15 days ago

    Sounds like they’ve discovered an abhorrent secret from the ruins of Poopei.

  • jay2 ( jay2@beehaw.org ) 
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    17 days ago

    As a refractory designer, this is something I can really sink my teeth into. Thanks!

    • nocturne ( nocturne@slrpnk.net ) 
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      17 days ago

      I would rather not…

  • soyslurper2 ( soyslurper2@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) 
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    16 days ago

    If we combine all the alternatives that can replace 10% each then we have concrete mix with 0% concrete.

  • chicken ( chicken@lemmy.dbzer0.com ) 
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    16 days ago

    The beginning of the article mentions the environmental impact of cement manufacture and the importance of replacing it, but later mentions that the research found they can only replace 5-10% of a cement mixture with poop based biochar before it’s strength becomes worse rather than better. Still some difference though I guess.

    • rhythmisaprancer ( rhythmisaprancer@quokk.au ) 
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      16 days ago

      I also wonder how the processing into biochar, and necessary electricity (I assume) to do that, factors into the overall offset of environmental impact. Maybe hard to quantify since it would lest human waste to dispose of otherwise.

      Nice to see the concern of heavy metals, and should probably consider pharmaceuticals (will they survive pyrolysis?), but I believe concrete is very recyclable so maybe those things will stay in suspension.

  • HubertManne ( HubertManne@piefed.social ) 
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    17 days ago

    really biochar that can be sourced from human waste.

  • NigelFrobisher ( NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone ) 
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    16 days ago

    They should try weetabix if they think that’s tough.

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