Faced with global warming, an AI surpasses humans and invents a miracle concrete that sucks CO2

Faced with the limits of human intelligence in the fight against global warmingCalifornian scientists have used Allegro-FM AI to design more ecological materials. Their first success relates to concrete, one of the most polluting materials, responsible for 7 to 8 % of global CO2 emissions. Allegro-FM has developed concrete capable of absorbing carbon dioxide, to reduce the environmental impact of this material.

Concrete created by an AI

Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. And when human intelligence reaches its limits, it is now artificial intelligence that takes over. Scientists from the Viterbi engineering school in California have decided to call on an AI called Allegro-FM, specializing in the design of new materials more respectful of the environment. First subject of study: concrete, one of the most polluting materials in the world.

Each year, around 32 billion tonnes of concrete are produced, generating nearly 2.9 billion tonnes of CO2, or 7 to 8 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, Allegro-FM was quick to find a new miracle concrete, which this time, the Abosrbe. More specifically, it captures carbon dioxide emitted during the production of concrete and reinjects it inside.
“”You can simply put the CO2 back inside concrete, and this gives carbon neutral concrete“Said Aiichiro Nakano, professor of the University of Viterbi inThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

Concrete that will last centuries but which has not yet been adopted

Technically, technology already existed, but it had never been exploited on a large scale with such precision or such efficiency. What Allegro-FM changes is its unprecedented computing power and level of optimization.

Thanks to Aurora Supercalculatorone of the most powerful in the world, AI has managed to simulate the behavior of four billion atoms in a given material. Thus, AI obtained an efficiency rate of 97.5 % in the analysis of the physical and chemical properties of the materials tested.

In addition to trying to trap carbon, Allegro-FM can also make concrete more resistant over time. Today, modern concrete has a lifespan of around 100 years, while the concrete used by the Romans has been holding for over 2,000 years.

However, it will still be necessary to wait a certain time before the adoption of this concrete 2.0. Despite its many advantages, this material faces several challenges. Its initial production cost remains high, which could slow down construction companies, making solutions for financing and partnerships. In addition, construction standards must evolve to integrate this new material, which implies collaboration between authorities, researchers and industrialists.