Geomaterials are inorganic raw materials derived from the Earth's crust and used, after appropriate processing, to meet the enormous demand for materials in modern society. In a broad sense, they include ores for metals, industrial minerals and rocks, fossil fuels, uranium, and other possible sources of energy, as well as construction materials. Materials used for construction purposes make up the largest part of the global economy and have quadrupled since 1970, growing far faster than the population, which has only doubled. In the last two years, consumption has increased by more than 8%, but resource reuse has fallen from 9.1% to 8.6%. However, some nations are taking steps towards circular economies where renewable energy supports systems that reduce waste and pollution to zero.
In this context, two important issues are understanding the physical and chemical reactivity of geomaterials with regard to CO2 storage in geological formations and exploring the possible use of additional and cleaner fuels, such as natural hydrogen (also known as native hydrogen), which is generated by geological processes.
The focus of this course will be on the main constructional inorganic non-metallic raw materials, which include aggregates, dimension and ornamental stones, unburnt constructional soils, bricks, and binders, as well as their criticalities and sustainability. The course will also cover the petrologic processes involved in carbon capture and hydrogen production. In particular, the course will discuss the following topics:
- Natural versus artificial building geomaterials;
- Material properties and analytical methods;
- Deterioration of geomaterials;
- Vulnerability of cultural heritage to climate change;
- Reuse of waste as secondary raw materials;
- Principles of urban mining;
- Petrology of CO2 storage and sequestration, and large-scale CO2 removal via enhanced rock weathering (ERW);
- Natural sources of hydrogen.
In this context, two important issues are understanding the physical and chemical reactivity of geomaterials with regard to CO2 storage in geological formations and exploring the possible use of additional and cleaner fuels, such as natural hydrogen (also known as native hydrogen), which is generated by geological processes.
The focus of this course will be on the main constructional inorganic non-metallic raw materials, which include aggregates, dimension and ornamental stones, unburnt constructional soils, bricks, and binders, as well as their criticalities and sustainability. The course will also cover the petrologic processes involved in carbon capture and hydrogen production. In particular, the course will discuss the following topics:
- Natural versus artificial building geomaterials;
- Material properties and analytical methods;
- Deterioration of geomaterials;
- Vulnerability of cultural heritage to climate change;
- Reuse of waste as secondary raw materials;
- Principles of urban mining;
- Petrology of CO2 storage and sequestration, and large-scale CO2 removal via enhanced rock weathering (ERW);
- Natural sources of hydrogen.
- Enseignant: Claudio Mazzoli
