CO2-Neutral Building Material via Algae-Derived Carbon Fibers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of high-pressure and tensile-strength materials like concrete, steel, glass, and aluminum requires significant fossil fuel burning, leading to high CO2 emissions and exacerbating global warming, necessitating the development of CO2-neutral alternatives.

Innovation Solution

The process involves capturing CO2 from flue gas using salt water and algae, converting it into algae oil, which is then used to produce synthetic fibers such as carbon or aramid fibers, combined with natural stone to create CO2-neutral building materials, with energy sourced from fossil and renewable fuels, eventually transitioning to fully renewable energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional materials (concrete, steel, glass, aluminum) are produced to achieve high pressure and tensile strength, then structural integrity is improved, but CO2 emissions increase significantly due to large amounts of fossil fuel burning required for production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidCO2 emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of building materials by incorporating carbon fibers produced from CO2, fundamentally altering the material composition from conventional cement-based or metal-based materials to a hybrid material system that uses CO2 as a raw material, thereby transforming the harmful CO2 emission into a beneficial building material component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite building material combining carbon fibers (produced from CO2) with natural stone or other pressure-resistant materials, where the carbon fibers provide tensile strength and the natural stone provides compressive strength, achieving structural integrity while sequestering CO2 in the fiber structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If CO2 is removed from the atmosphere through algae growth and converted to building materials, then atmospheric CO2 concentration is reduced, but the process requires significant energy input for CO2 capture, algae cultivation, and fiber production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatmospheric CO2 concentrationVSAvoidenergy input for CO2 sequestration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful CO2 gas into a beneficial building material component (carbon fibers) through a multi-step process involving algae cultivation and chemical conversion, where the CO2 that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse effects is transformed into a permanent stored form in construction materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers CO2 from flue gases of power plants and industrial processes, capturing it and converting it into building materials, thereby recovering a waste product (CO2 emissions) and transforming it into a valuable resource for construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-generated harmful factors

If carbon fibers produced from CO2 are combined with natural stone to create building materials, then CO2 neutrality is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex compared to conventional material production

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 neutralityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the building material production process into distinct modules: CO2 capture from flue gases, algae cultivation, chemical conversion to carbon fibers, and final composite material fabrication, allowing each stage to be optimized independently and facilitating easier implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces atmospheric CO2 by integrating it into stable building materials, enabling a long-term reduction in fossil fuel dependency and potential carbon negativity through the use of renewable energy sources, while maintaining the structural integrity of conventional materials.

Implementation Method 1

algae growth is being stimulated through photosynthesis. The algae absorb the carbon very quickly, faster than plants growing in air, releasing precious oxygen.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Implementation Method 2

This CO2 is being discharged for example into vessels with salt water, in which algae growth is being stimulated through photosynthesis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9802862B2CO<sub>2 </sub>emission-free construction material made of CO<sub>2 </sub>

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 KUSE KOLJA

AI summary

Building materials and methods of making a building material are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving algae; and subjecting the algae to an oil extraction process, in order to produce vegetable oil. The method further includes producing synthetic fibers by processing the vegetable oil from the oil extraction process; and processing the synthetic fibers to produce a tension and pressure resistant material.