MIT-Backed Startup’s Innovative Cement Technology Could Eliminate Gigatons of CO₂

Securing Environment: Aims to Cut Gigatons of CO₂ with 2000 years old Cement Technology

Today's cement production relies on extremely high kiln temperatures, but the cement used in making ancient Roman structures, which has stood the test of time, was made using different methods. Sublime Systems, an MIT spinout, has drawn inspiration from these ancient techniques and has developed a new, sustainable cement that uses electrochemistry to avoid the ultrahigh temperatures of conventional methods. This innovative approach significantly reduces the carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional Portland cement production.

"The Romans could not obtain the severe temperatures used today, yet their cement proved to be both sturdy and enduring." With 2,000 years of progress, now this ancient technology can be modernized to meet current standards," explains Leah Ellis, co-founder, and CEO of Sublime Systems. Sublime's revolutionary strategy, developed with MIT Professor Yet-Ming Chiang, seeks to drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Cement manufacture currently accounts for around 7% of human-driven CO₂ emissions. Sublime's technology reduces emissions by using a unique electrochemical method instead of high temperatures and limestone, which contains roughly 50% CO₂.

Chiang, MIT's Kyocera Professor of Ceramics, observed that, while cement has been vital to modern civilization, it now needs to be reinvented. He stated that cement production presently produces approximately 4 gigatons of emissions each year, which will further rise to 6 gigatons by 2050.  Sublime Systems reached a big milestone in May when it poured 3 tons of sustainable cement into Boston's largest net-zero commercial structure. The company is currently constructing a commercial-scale manufacturing factory in Holyoke, Massachusetts, with plans to produce 30,000 tons of cement per year beginning in 2026. According to Ellis, the Holyoke plant is meant to be modular, allowing for scalable growth to a million tons per year, lowering scale-up risks, and easing global deployment. Ellis accepted a postdoctoral position at MIT in 2018, choosing to collaborate with Yet-Ming Chiang because of his reputation for creative and important scientific work. Despite their shared history in batteries, she welcomed Chiang's suggestion to explore other paths, specifically employing electrochemistry to make cement manufacture more sustainable. Chiang observed that, despite being the most plentiful substance after water and the highest emitter of CO₂ in industrial materials, cement has received little consideration for electrification.

Ellis and doctoral student Andres Blades started their investigation by reviewing the current literature on cement chemistry and manufacture. They sought a more sustainable manufacturing technique that might capitalize on the advent of affordable, renewable electricity, broadening their focus from fundamental chemistry to economic and industry studies. She highlighted her desire to work diligently and become efficient and concentrated on understanding industry requirements, customer concerns, and regulatory issues around low-carbon cement. After proving the viability of their technique, the creators published their findings and founded Sublime Systems in March 2020. Despite the COVID-19 disruptions, they obtained patents from MIT's Technology Licensing Office and participated in the MIT i-Corps program to network with potential customers.

She underscored MIT's enormous resources as a significant advantage for startup enterprises, describing it as an intellectual playground with limitless research possibilities. Portland cement has a significant carbon footprint due to its limestone content, which emits CO₂ during high-temperature heating and as a material. Sublime's team at MIT devised an electrochemical technique for breaking down calcium silicate rocks at room temperature and the process employs available raw resources to generate reactive calcium and silicates, which are subsequently combined into sustainable cement. Ellis noted that Sublime's combination has the same strength and hardened phases as Portland cement and meets industry performance standards for construction application. She stressed that their solution is unique in that it is a real zero-emission alternative that does not use fossil fuels or limestone, avoiding all emissions connected with regular Portland cement manufacture.

Ellis observed that Sublime's combination has the same strength and hardened phases as Portland cement and meets industry performance standards for construction application. She stressed that their solution is unique in that it is a real zero-emission alternative that does not use fossil fuels or limestone, avoiding all emissions connected with regular Portland cement manufacture. Chiang, who has established many firms since joining MIT over 40 years ago and currently serves on MIT President Sally Kornbluth's Climate Project advisory council, sees Sublime Systems as a good example of MIT's community-driven innovation. He stated that Sublime's success was due to discovering an unmet need, acting on it quickly, and providing a scalable solution to mitigate climate change. Chiang stressed that such projects demonstrate MIT's dedication to creating a real influence beyond academia, benefiting society and the world as a whole.

Editor’s Note:
 

Changing climatic conditions is a wake-up call for all human beings to look for innovative solutions to save our environment. Sublime Systems offers a breakthrough solution to cement production that can drastically cut world CO₂ emissions. Sublime's electrochemical approach paves the door for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future by avoiding existing processes that have a high carbon footprint. This discovery not only demonstrates the revolutionary power of cutting-edge technology but also emphasizes the importance of academic and business partnerships in addressing global environmental challenges.

Skoobuzz extends its heartfelt congratulations to the innovators at Sublime Systems for their remarkable achievements and looks forward to its commercial use.