A group of MIT students recently developed a new type of brick that would help to reduce the amount of pollution that is produced by dirty brick kilns. In India, these kilns are used to produce up to two billion bricks per year. Unfortunately, this method of production generates a thick particulate matter that is extremely damaging to the environment.
To combat the pollution from brick kilns, MIT students developed the 'Eco BLAC brick.' This specially designed brick is made from 70 percent leftover boiler ash waste, which would otherwise clog up local landfills. The rest of the brick is composed of sodium hydroxide, lime and a little bit of clay. Relying on alkali-activation technology as a source of power, these bricks require no firing at all.
The Eco BLAC brick is currently being tested at a paper mill in New Delhi to examine its long-term use. If results are successful, this product could help to dramatically improve India's air quality.
What's Driving This Trend
- Pollution-reducing Bricks
- Developing bricks that actively reduce pollution can revolutionize the construction industry and combat environmental damage caused by brick kilns.
- Sustainable Building Materials
- The creation of eco-friendly building materials, such as bricks made from waste materials, presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the construction and manufacturing industries.
- Alkali-activation Technology
- Exploring the potential of alkali-activation technology in building materials can lead to the development of more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly construction products.
Who This Affects Most
- Construction Industry
- The construction industry can benefit from adopting pollution-reducing bricks as a sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional building materials.
- Manufacturing Industry
- The manufacturing industry can capitalize on the production of new, sustainable building materials by integrating eco-friendly practices and contributing to the fight against pollution and environmental damage.
- Environmental Technology Industry
- The environmental technology industry can explore the potential of alkali-activation technology and leverage it to develop innovative solutions for pollution reduction in various sectors, including construction.
