Build Architecture Awards 2016

2016 Architecture Awards Build 65 Company: University of Greenwich, Department of Engineering Science Name: Professor CD Hills Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.gre.ac.uk Address: Department of Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB Telephone: 0208 331 9820 he Department of Engineering Science’s research and develop- ment capabilities extends from fundamental research to commer- cialising our IP, through to the formation of spin-out companies and technology licensing opportunities. Colin explains the depart- ment’s overall mission and how its research was focused on achieving it. “It is our mission to continue to develop and apply innovative low-carbon technology for the manufacture of products made from mineralised CO2. “As such, we have been developing a route for the mineralisation of CO2 gas produced by industrial processes. This has led to world-beating technology that is being used in the first two of five planned UK commercial plants. These produce an artificial stone for use in construction. The CO2 gas cap- tured is permanently held in the aggregate product as limestone.” Currently, the development of sustainability initiatives and the reduction in waste being set to landfill means a number of opportunities are now present- ing themselves. The forthcoming European Circular Economy Directive is a potential game-changer. However, by working closely with the Environment Agency and by supporting our innovative technology with international peer-reviewed journal publications, confidence that innovative technology will deliver change can be significantly enhanced. Colin talks us through how his department works to evolve in order to stay ahead of the ever changing market in which it operates. “To meet the needs of industry, Greenwich is innovative, whether it is in the field of material handling, robotics, 3D manufacturing or in low-carbon inno- vative materials made from CO2 gas collected from a flue gas. Universities are a major driver of the UK economy, and Greenwich is no exception. “As we develop more sustainable building technologies and innovative ‘green’ materials, architects will be at the ‘sharp’ end, as there will be a real choice of low-carbon materials/solutions to help meet the greatest challenge of our time- the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere.” Looking ahead, Colin is eager to emphasise the department’s continued focus on innovation in order to produce new, ground breaking research. “Engineering Science at Greenwich is continually developing its business offering. With respect to teaching, there is a new MSc programme in Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering for 2016-17. New research facilities for mineralising carbon by supercritical and near-supercritical CO2 are now in place. The latest analytical equipment can be used to examine the carbonated products produced. “In addition, exciting new products are being developed over the coming months that including a light weight insulating material produced entirely from mineralised CO2.” As a final comment, Colin expressed his optimism for the future of both his field of study and the wider industry. “This is a very exciting time for materials technology. The use of CO2 as a feedstock for making everyday products is becoming a reality. With a few years, architects will have available high-specification materials all made directly from mineralised CO2, which are likely to include cladding, blocks and decorative stone –all available at competitive prices. It will then become possible to build carbon-negative structures. “Ultimately, it is my belief that we are on the verge of an industrial revolution based upon using carbon in a beneficial way. The chemical technologies necessary to produce everything from plastics to fuel to building materials from captured CO2 is developing or in place. It is primarily the cost of energy and the conversion of these materials that must be addressed, and the ready availability of hydrogen utilising renewable energy sources is key. “The low carbon innovation sets a bench-mark for the production of carbon-neg- ative construction materials (from mineralised CO2). Manufactured carbonated aggregates are commercially available at prices that compete with virgin stone, and these developments have the potential to change the entire market. Overall I am looking forward to exploring the effect they have in more detail.” Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich Best Low Carbon Innovation Research Institution & BUILD Excellence Award for Sustainable Solutions The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Greenwich provides expert ser- vices to industry in a range of engineering disciplines, including environmental engineering. We spoke to Professor Colin Hills to learn more about the department’s vital research. T AR160108