NU 2011-076

Inventors

Maria S. Konsta-Gdoutos

Zoi S. Metaxa

Surendra P. Shah*

Abstract

Cementitious materials are widely used, and their strength is critical for maintenance of structure. Strength of such materials can be improved substantially by the inclusion of dispersed multi-walled carbon tubules (MWCNTs). This practice has not been widely adopted, however, because such suspensions of MWCNTs are not readily available for large-scale production. Northwestern researchers have developed a technique to concentrate MWCNTs using centrifugation. The process does not affect the strength and solubility of the MWCNTs, but makes mixtures of the tubules with cementitious materials more feasible on a mass-production scale. The mixtures could be utilized for all classical concrete purposes -- such as highways, bridges, pavement, and pre-cast building elements -- with improved results as compared with the standard material.

Applications

• Construction of highways, bridges, and pavement
• Pre-fabricated building elements

Advantages

• Larger-scale production of improved-strength cementitious mixtures

IP Status

A patent application has been filed.