By incorporating graphene into concrete, Italcementi researchers have been able to modify the typical insulating behaviour of cement composites, allowing the passage of electrical current without compromising efficiency. Italcementi has been able to optimise the behaviour of the composite and maintain the strength and flow characteristics of the concrete.
The potential applications and advantages of a highly conductive cement composite are many, especially considering that concrete is the most widely used building material in the world. Graphene concrete can be used for floor or wall heating. Thanks to the transformation of electrical energy into thermal energy, a very thin layer of highly conductive cementitious composite placed under the floor or plaster can provide an efficient and minimally invasive heating system, which increases comfort and optimises space. A long-lasting, low-maintenance and energy-saving solution, with advantages also from an economic point of view.
The cement compound can be used to heat external surfaces, offering a safe and environmentally friendly solution against snow and ice. In the near future, roads and cycle paths, home garage ramps, piers and airport runways can be cleared of ice and snow without the need for salt de-icing and corrosive chemicals, safeguarding the safety of people, the durability of materials and the impact on the environment.
Other possible applications focus on antistatic flooring, shielding buildings from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and dissipation of electrostatic charges. In the long term, the electrical conductivity of concrete may bring major innovations also in mobility, allowing electric vehicles to be recharged, for example, directly on the move while driving, a sector in which Italcementi's research has been active for some time.
