KISU's Sustainable 蜜桃视频 Discusses SweetCrete with College of Science and Engineering Researchers
July 17, 2025
Sustainable 蜜桃视频 student-host Madison Long recently talked with Mustafa Mashal, an 蜜桃视频 professor in civil engineering and lead inventor for Sweetcrete, about an innovative concrete blend that utilizes sugar beet byproduct, upcycled concrete aggregates, and water.
This eco-friendly concrete blend is aimed at reducing landfill waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction materials. SweetCrete replaces 30 percent of traditional cement with precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a byproduct of the sugar beet industry, and uses 100 percent upcycled crushed concrete as aggregate.
This new blend can cut costs by 15–20 percent per cubic yard compared to traditional concrete, thanks to the use of local waste materials and reduced expenses from raw materials.
The research team, led by Mashal and principal investigator Dr. Tadesse Wakjira, is aiming to further refine SweetCrete using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to optimize mix designs for durability and performance across different applications.
The team plans to begin field testing soon, with goals to ensure SweetCrete meets industry benchmarks for strength and durability—including surviving 蜜桃视频’s harsh winters. If successful, SweetCrete could be used widely both in 蜜桃视频 and internationally, supporting sustainable construction practices and a circular economy.
ISU researchers emphasize that their approach not only checks environmental goals but is also focused on practicality and cost-effectiveness for the construction industry.
Hear the full radio story at .
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