NRF Basic Research Laboratory, Pioneer type (BRL)

Concrete that stores carbonand senses itself.

We develop biochar-graphene-based conductive carbon-sequestering cement composites, apply them to structural members, secure structural safety, and bring economy and eco-friendliness to maintenance, pioneering sustainable structural maintenance technology.

See the research About the project

Development of Carbon-Sequestering Concrete Using Biochar-Based Graphene and Its Application in Structural Components · Basic Research Laboratory (Pioneer type), National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) · Project period 2024.08 to 2027.04

Mission

Final goal

We develop biochar-graphene cement composites to establish their carbon-sequestration effect, and use self-sensing concrete to develop real-time structural maintenance technology. This is pioneering research that combines eco-friendliness, high performance, and sustainability in one new concrete material.

Sub-goals

01 Develop graphene-based conductive carbon-sequestering cement composites by converting biochar
02 Develop material models and analysis methods for the new concrete material
03 Evaluate and improve the structural and maintenance performance of conductive carbon-sequestering concrete

Required performance

Three required-performance axes

We pursue eco-friendly carbon sequestration, high-performance conductivity and self-sensing, and sustainability through continuous structural monitoring, all at once.

01 Eco-Friendly
Carbon sequestration

Efficient biochar-graphene production, maximized carbon sequestration, and conductivity evaluation.
02 High Performance
Conductivity and self-sensing

Imparting conductivity and developing and evaluating damage detection through self-sensing.
03 Sustainability
Continuous structural monitoring

Real-time damage detection and maintenance through structural performance and conductive-sensor monitoring.

Research teams

Three research teams

Explore the research

Four researchers form three teams organized around new-material development, application, and analysis.

01
Team 1

Choi · Park

Biochar-graphene carbon-sequestering cement composites and materials performance
02
Team 2

Choi · Seok

Self-sensing performance of conductive carbon-sequestering concrete and its application
03
Team 3

Seo · Seok

Application of conductive carbon-sequestering concrete to structural members, with analysis

Year 1 Biochar-graphene cement composite and sensor development; structural performance of commercial-biochar RC members
Year 2 Composite durability and performance; improved self/electrical conductivity; RC member performance and rebar-anchorage FE model
Year 3 Carbon-sequestering RC member performance and material model; long-term-sensing maintenance and analysis model

Outcomes

Annual targets and expected impact

We set clear annual targets for papers, patents, and researcher training, aiming at construction-sector carbon reduction and the world-first development of a biochar concrete material model.

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Production and application

Biochar production and composite testing

A continuous pyrolysis line produces biochar at scale as feedstock for graphene modification, which is then fabricated into cement composites for testing. Production and application form one loop.

Biochar production for the composite: continuous pyrolysis line
Biochar production for the composite: pyrolysis process
$Black biochar in refractory crucibles$
Biochar produced in refractory crucibles