Researchers at Southeast University in China, led by Professor Zhou Yang, have developed a revolutionary cement-based material capable of generating and storing electricity. This innovation could redefine infrastructure for future smart cities, combining structural strength with built-in energy capabilities. The material is a cement-hydrogel composite inspired by the layered internal structure of plant stems. By harnessing thermal energy and converting it into electricity, this composite introduces a new dimension to building materials.
Hydrogel-Enhanced Cement Boosts Thermoelectric Performance for Smarter Construction
Traditionally, cement has exhibited weak ionic thermoelectric properties due to its dense matrix, which hinders ion mobility. The researchers overcame this limitation by integrating alternating layers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel within the cement. These hydrogel layers provide fast pathways for hydroxide ions (OH⁻), while the interfaces are engineered to interact selectively with calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and OH⁻. This design creates a mobility imbalance that enhances the material’s thermoelectric effect.
The cement composite achieves a Seebeck coefficient of −40.5 mV/K and a figure of merit (ZT) of 6.6×10⁻²—ten and six times higher, respectively, than previous cement-based materials. This significant improvement could pave the way for high-performance ionic thermoelectric applications in construction.
Smart Cement: Power-Generating Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the material is its ability not just to generate electricity but also to store it. The composite’s multilayered design offers mechanical durability while enabling energy storage. This could allow future buildings, roads, and bridges to power embedded sensors, monitor structural health, and support wireless communication systems—all without external energy sources.
The potential impact of this innovation will be discussed at SynBioBeta’s Global Synthetic Biology Conference in a session on reducing emissions from the concrete industry. Bioengineered materials like this composite represent a crucial step toward sustainable construction practices. Ultimately, this smart cement-hydrogel composite signals a transformative shift in urban design, enabling infrastructure that contributes to energy generation, efficiency, and environmental sustainability—all built into the structure itself.
Summary:
Researchers in China have developed a smart cement-hydrogel composite that generates and stores electricity. Inspired by plant stems, it enhances ion mobility and thermoelectric performance. With built-in energy capabilities, it could power sensors and enable sustainable, self-monitoring infrastructure—redefining urban construction and supporting smarter, greener cities of the future.
