Carbon-Cement Supercapacitor

This solution addresses the significant environmental challenge posed by the cement production industry's high carbon emissions. The innovative method utilises electric arc furnaces (EAFs), typically used in steel recycling, to recycle used cement. By substituting lime flux with used cement in the process, the technology produces recycled cement, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of both steel and cement production. This process not only conserves natural resources by reusing materials but also cuts down on waste sent to landfills, supporting a circular economy in construction.

This solution addresses the problem of reliance on finite energy sources like batteries and external power supplies. The aim is to capture ambient energy from sources such as solar radiation, thermal gradients, vibrations, and radiofrequency waves, converting them into usable electrical power. Doing so enables devices to operate autonomously, often for their entire lifespan, without the need for external power or frequent battery replacements. By integrating energy harvesting devices into urban infrastructure, cities can power smart sensors, public lighting, and transportation systems, enhancing sustainability and resilience.

Aimed at addressing the critical problems of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, this technology captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial sources and power plants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. Once captured, the CO₂ can either be utilised in various industrial processes, such as producing synthetic fuels and construction materials or stored underground in geological formations. CCUS plays a pivotal role in reducing urban air pollution, thereby improving public health by mitigating respiratory and cardiovascular diseases caused by poor air quality.

This energy storage solution addresses critical issues related to energy waste, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. Unlike traditional batteries that often end up in landfills, circular batteries are engineered for reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, creating a closed-loop lifecycle that significantly reduces electronic waste and the need for raw materials. These batteries store electricity from various sources, including renewable energy, and upon reaching the end of their lifecycle, they are disassembled, and valuable components are recovered and reused.

To address the inefficiencies and sustainability challenges of traditional urban energy systems, this technology integrates renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power with existing energy infrastructures, managed by sophisticated AI and machine learning algorithms. These systems monitor, predict, and optimise energy flows in real-time, ensuring a stable and efficient energy supply. The IAEG aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy resilience, and improve energy equity by providing reliable power distribution, even in disaster-prone areas.

This solution addresses pressing urban challenges such as flooding, traffic congestion, road deterioration, and inefficient maintenance by embedding sensors, actuators, and responsive materials directly into the pavement. These elements allow the surface to monitor and react to environmental conditions, adjusting permeability during storms to reduce flooding, changing friction in icy conditions to improve safety, and collecting data on load, vibration, and temperature for predictive maintenance.