The University of Tokyo has developed a technology that can turn food waste into cement, according to Tech Xplore.
Edible building materials were presented by scientists from the University of Tokyo. They have developed a technology that allows you to turn food waste into "cement". According to the researchers, the elasticity of the material is four times greater than that of conventional cement.
Such an invention would help reduce methane emissions from landfills associated with food waste, and thereby slow down global warming. Moreover, ordinary cement is known as one of the most "dirty" materials on the planet - about 8% of anthropogenic emissions are associated with it.
Initially, cement was supposed to be made from crushed wood, subjecting it to heating under pressure. The process consisted of three stages: drying, grinding and compression.
Then the scientists decided to test this method on food waste. All previous attempts to use food waste to create cement required the addition of plastic to keep the biomass from decaying. But researchers from the University of Tokyo managed to get cement by changing the heating temperature and pressure.
The main technical problem was that for each type of product these temperatures and pressures must be different. Previously, food cement could only be obtained from coffee grounds or soot left after burning food waste. A team from the University of Tokyo was able to make it from onion peels, Chinese cabbage, and even leftover fast food.
So that insects and rodents are not "tempted" by the smell and do not gnaw on the cement, and also that it is not exposed to moisture, scientists suggest covering it with varnish.
This material can also be used to make dishes, furniture, or even create temporary homes.