WE'RE all aware of the stimulative effects of caffeine, but it appears that coffee is also now able to boost the performance of concrete.
Researchers at Melbourne's RMIT University have developed a new technique which claims to make the vital construction material 30% stronger by adding processed waste coffee grounds to the mix.
Published recently in the Journal of Cleaner Production, a report on the breakthrough describes how the grounds are converted to "biochar" by roasting them at 350c without oxygen present.
Lead author for the study, Dr Rajeev Roychand, explained "the disposal of organic waste poses an environmental challenge as it emits large amounts of greenhouse gases including methane and carbon dioxide, which is contributing to climate change".
He noted that Australia generates about 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste each year, with Roychand quipping that "the inspiration for our work was to find an innovative way of using the large amounts of coffee waste in construction projects rather than going to landfill - to give coffee a 'double shot' at life".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 28 Aug 23
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