Industrial combustion residue can strengthen concrete but varies in impurity content. This research uses X-ray imaging and computer vision to identify and quantify impurities in residue particles. The results help cement manufacturers optimize material use, improving quality, reducing costs, and supporting sustainable recycling of industrial waste.
Silicon carbide is strong and heat-resistant but fails catastrophically due to low fracture toughness. By adding graphene, cracks are deflected and require more energy to propagate. This research has doubled fracture toughness, enabling potential use in nuclear reactors and other high-temperature structural applications.