SBIR Phase II: High Performance Cement Additive from an Agricultural Byproduct

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project develops the manufacturing process for a cement additive from an agricultural biomass waste to be used in the production of High Performance Concrete (HPC), and blended cement. This additive imparts increased strength and durability to concrete; therefore will mostly be used in high-rise buildings, highway construction, and infrastructures built in severe environmental conditions, e.g. petrochemical plants and marine structures. This project will generate increased revenues to the US farmers by selling their byproduct at a higher price and will create jobs in rural areas. Also, potential exists to license the technology to several emerging economies, where there is an urgent need to build transportation-, energy- and building-infrastructures. The Broader Impacts of this research will be increased and higher value use of this agricultural waste in high strength cement. Utilization of this improved product will reduce pollution caused by the current alternatives in both air and at landfill sites. This research is intended to provide a profitable alternative to farmers producing this crop and create rural jobs.