Advanced Cement and Concrete Technologies

Next-generation, high-performance cement and concrete

A PNNL researcher holding up a cylinder of cement made using algal biochar.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of algae blooms produces algal biochar, a cumbersome waste product. That biochar can be used as a supplemental cementitious material in the production of cement, allowing harmful algal blooms to become bio-crude and cement.

(Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is pioneering high-performance, self-healing, and resilient cement and concrete solutions to improve durability, reduce maintenance needs, and meet the growing demands of infrastructure and energy applications.

Breakthrough innovations

PaNaCEM™—molecular Velcro cement

PaNaCEM™ self-healing cements — the world’s first molecular Velcro cement. (Image by Cortland Johnson.) — PaNaCEM™ self-healing cements—the world’s first molecular Velcro cement. (Image by Cortland Johnson | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

PaNaCEM™ is an advanced self-healing cement technology designed to restore strength over multiple stress cycles.

Self-heals in just 72 hours at room temperature.
Retains up to 80 percent of its compressive strength after repeated damage cycles in ambient and high temperatures (300°C) geothermal conditions.
Maintains tensile strength recovery of 30–60 percent over 5 cycles, while commercial cement shows no recovery.
Designed for durability, PaNaCEM™ avoids the irreversible damage observed in commercial cement after early stress cycles.
Developed for extreme environments, including geothermal wellbores requiring high-temperature resilience.

PaNaCEM™ currently is being evaluated as a repairing solution for concrete infrastructure. In concrete, PaNaCRETE™ shows similar mechanical strength recovery.

BioNano supplementary cementitious materials

Several small cylinders of concrete made with biologically derived SCMs. — BioNano SCMs (Biowaste-derived Nano-reinforced supplementary cementitious materials) deliver long-term strength and performance, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional cement additives. (Photo by Zihao Li | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

BioNano SCMs (Biowaste-derived Nano-reinforced supplementary cementitious materials) are derived from waste—in particular, algal biochar produced as a byproduct of hydrothermal liquefaction (a promising technology that converts a wide range of wastes and feedstocks into valuable crude-like oil).

Demonstrates compressive strength and stiffness comparable to commercial SCM blends.
Estimated unit cost is roughly 10 times lower than silica fume, offering a competitive edge in the growing SCM market.
Strengthens over time, reaching compressive strength comparable to control cement after 30 days of curing.
High supply potential in the U.S. from biofuel byproducts, turning waste disposal costs into valuable construction inputs.
Unlocks a new domestic SCM stream amid increasing demand and limited supply of traditional materials, with potential cost savings of $210M in disposal expenses.

C³Crete—carbon-storing cement technology

An illustration showing the use of C3Crete in a building. — C3Crete (Catalyzed Carbon Capture and Storing Concrete) helps reduce emissions while maintaining or increasing structural integrity. (Image by Cortland Johnson | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

C³Crete (Catalyzed Carbon Capture and Storing Concrete) is an innovative cement designed to capture and store CO₂ while maintaining strength.

Stores 6´ more CO₂ than unmodified cement in early months.
Maintains mechanical integrity while integrating CO₂ storage.
Offers a significant improvement in CO₂ uptake compared to conventional cement.
Engineered for next-generation concrete applications.

Why it matters

With growing infrastructure demands, traditional cement solutions can fall short in terms of durability and sustainability. PNNL’s advanced technologies provide smarter, longer-lasting solutions, reducing the need for costly repairs and making construction more resilient for the future.