# 120. Carbon Soaking Concrete

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-05-02
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/120-carbon-soaking-concrete-mQzaXxpv

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from MIT and Harvard professors Admir Masek, Franz Joseph Ulm, Damian Stefanik, Marcin Hadjus, and James Weaver on using baking soda to turn concrete into a carbon sink. They explain how adding sodium bicarbonate during mixing accelerates curing, increases early-stage strength by nearly double, and reduces CO2 emissions by 15% through early carbonation. The hosts analyze the implications for 3D printed construction and the potential for carbon-negative building materials, while noting the need for long-term durability testing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=0) Introduction: Concrete's Environmental Impact
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=134) The Chemistry of Concrete Emissions
- [8:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=520) MIT and Harvard's Carbonation Solution
- [11:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=700) The Secret Sauce: Baking Soda
- [15:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=914) Mechanical Benefits and 3D Printing
- [17:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-05-02-120-carbon-soaking-concrete#t=1021) Implications and Technology Readiness

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- MIT (company)
- Harvard University (company)
- Wevolver (company)
- Arm and Hammer (company)

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- [A Mission to Decarbonize the Construction Industry with Keegan Kirkpatrick, Founder and CEO of RedWorks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-02-29-a-mission-to-decarbonize-the-construction-industry-with-keegan-kirkpatrick-found) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Fixing cement’s carbon problem](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-11-17-fixing-cements-carbon-problem) (Catalyst)
- [Reinventing Cement: The Breakthrough That Could Cut 8% of Global Emissions with Greg Williams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-03-27-reinventing-cement-the-breakthrough-that-could-cut-8-of-global-emissions-with-gr) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Re-Engineering Chemical Production for Carbon Dioxide Removal with Dr. Laura Lammers, Founder and CEO of Travertine](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-11-24-re-engineering-chemical-production-for-carbon-dioxide-removal-with-dr-laura-lamm) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

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