EAGER: Developing Sustainable Solutions for Building Industry: Recycling Fresh and Aged Concrete to Remove Nitrogen Dioxide

EARLY探索性研究奖（EAGER）将制定一项战略，通过将混凝土用作吸附剂来去除二氧化氮（NO2），从而抵消水泥生产和其他各种来源的NO2排放。 NO2排放会导致各种环境和健康问题。它们有助于形成酸雨、大气颗粒和各种其他有毒物质，导致健康问题、能见度降低、富营养化和全球变暖。NO2排放的最突出的结果之一是地面臭氧的形成，这是在NO2与挥发性有机化合物（VOC）在阳光下反应产生的。当形成时，它会引起不利影响，如肺组织损伤和肺功能降低。使用新老混凝土去除NO2的策略为改变废弃混凝土的处置和回收方式提供了巨大的潜力。它还以创新和协同的方式汇集了结构材料，材料工程，表面科学，环境化学和大气科学等学科。

This EArly Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award will develop a strategy of making the concrete more environmentally friendly by using it as adsorbent to remove Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), therefore offsetting the NO2 emissions originating from cement production and various other sources. NO2 emissions can cause various environmental and health problems. They contribute to formation of acid rain, atmospheric particles and various other toxic substances resulting in health problems, visibility reduction, eutrification and global warming. One of the most prominent results of NO2 emissions is formation of ground level ozone, which is produced in the reaction of NO2 with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. When formed, it causes adverse effects such as damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung function. The strategy of using both fresh and aged concrete for NO2 removal offers a significant potential to transform the way the waste concrete is disposed of and recycled. It also brings together such disciplines as structural materials, materials engineering, surface science, environmental chemistry and atmospheric science in an innovative and synergetic manner.