About this Research Topic
The need to understand the influence of additives (e.g. supplementary cementitious materials) and meet the stringent requirements for performance and durability demand a deep understanding of the microstructures within cementitious materials. However, traditional technologies such as x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopes have not been able to keep up with the increasing complexity of mixture design of cement-based materials.
In addition, some emerging construction materials (e.g. alkali-activated cements) have been widely investigated but their microstructures are still poorly presented. To develop these new cementitious materials further, new technologies are required to investigate their microstructures and to enhance their performance for specific applications. Once the relationship between the chemical compositions, textural attributes, and performance of these materials are clarified, they can then be used effectively.
This Research Topic focuses on the development of new technologies to investigate the microstructure (e.g. neutron imaging) and to enhance the performance (e.g. accelerated carbonation) of traditional Portland or alternative cementitious materials. Our goal is to provide information on the implementation of these new technologies, thus facilitating the use of new cementitious materials. Technologies of particular interest include, but are not limited to:
Enhancing performance:
• Accelerated carbonation technology
• Bio-treatment
• Novel reinforcement
Microstructure investigation:
• Synchrotron X-ray Raman scattering
• Micro X-ray computed tomography
• X-ray ptychography
• Digital holographic microscopy
• Neutron imaging
• 1H NMR Relaxometry
In addition, some emerging construction materials (e.g. alkali-activated cements) have been widely investigated but their microstructures are still poorly presented. To develop these new cementitious materials further, new technologies are required to investigate their microstructures and to enhance their performance for specific applications. Once the relationship between the chemical compositions, textural attributes, and performance of these materials are clarified, they can then be used effectively.
This Research Topic focuses on the development of new technologies to investigate the microstructure (e.g. neutron imaging) and to enhance the performance (e.g. accelerated carbonation) of traditional Portland or alternative cementitious materials. Our goal is to provide information on the implementation of these new technologies, thus facilitating the use of new cementitious materials. Technologies of particular interest include, but are not limited to:
Enhancing performance:
• Accelerated carbonation technology
• Bio-treatment
• Novel reinforcement
Microstructure investigation:
• Synchrotron X-ray Raman scattering
• Micro X-ray computed tomography
• X-ray ptychography
• Digital holographic microscopy
• Neutron imaging
• 1H NMR Relaxometry
Keywords: cementitious materials, microstructure imaging, accelerated carbonation, reinforcement, biotreatment, microscopy, raman scattering
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