# Life-Saving Sands CO2 Structures Could Expedite Post-Disaster Construction By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-08-10 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/co2-structure References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5829487/new-material-for-fast-rebuilding-after-disasters) & [diginfo](http://www.diginfo.tv/2011/08/10/11-0161-f.php) The need for easy-to-assemble, cheap building materials was made evident in the days and weeks following March's horrific earthquake, but the Japanese firm TIS & Partners has pioneered a new "CO2 Structure" that could completely change post-emergency reconstruction. Whereas it takes concrete nearly 28 days to reach 100% of its design strength, the CO2 Structure can be cured, dried and ready for use in less than a minute -- plus, it's stronger than asphalt and concrete. By injecting carbon dioxide directly into a silica (sand and quartz), adding a few organic compounds and letting the entire concoction cool off, you're left with a building material with twice the tensile strength of brick. The CO2 Structure could very easily revolutionize [emergency doctrine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drop-pod) and will likely save countless lives. Oh, and unlike concrete, this material needs little (if any) steel reinforcements. Wow! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Rapid Construction:** The CO2 structure's fast curing time can revolutionize the way buildings are constructed, especially in emergency situations. - **Stronger Building Materials:** The CO2 Structure's twice the tensile strength of brick could take over concrete as the most used building material. - **Sustainable Building Materials:** By using sand and carbon dioxide, the CO2 Structure creates a much more eco-friendly building material industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Construction:** The CO2 Structure could disrupt the traditional construction industry with faster and stronger building materials. - **Disaster Relief:** Emergency responders can take advantage of the CO2 Structures rapid assembly times to quickly construct shelters and save lives. - **Sustainability:** The CO2 Structure provides an eco-friendlier option than traditional building materials and could disrupt the construction industry's historical environmentally wasteful practices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Carbon-Negative Artificial Sand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-sand.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [Bio-Cement Oceanic Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-rocket.md) - [Coastal Concrete Building Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econcrete.md) - [Potato-Based Ultra-Strong Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starcrete.md) - [Surfboard Waste Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surf-block-maui.md) - [Shrimp Cell-Fused Cements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shrimp-cell-fused-cement.md) - [Reusable Framework Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfold-form.md) - [Climate Relief Temporary Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/additive-manufacturing-homes-crisis.md)