The general theme of the LTC concerns the field of cement-based materials science and technology.
Cement composites are the most widely used materials in the world. In addition, they have been around since Roman times, meaning that materials and techniques have been improved along centuries almost to perfection. However, new variables have come into play on the last decades as a consequence of the environmental awareness. For the first time in history parameters like the carbon footprint, the efficient use of resources and energy consumption have become almost as important when designing a structure as aesthetics or technical requirements. In addition, materials’ performance demand of modern mega-structures has surpassed all expectations. As a consequence, materials scientists face now the outbreak of new challenges in all aspects of cement composites’ production and performance, from the clinkerization process itself, to durability issues or the development of new additions/additives/admixtures and recycling strategies. It is the objective of this LTC to respond to such challenges and contribute, therefore, to the development of society. The activities will be carried out from a materials science approach combining different scientific/technological fields: synthesis, characterization, processing and computational simulation.
The LTC is thus naturally organized around four main research areas (RA) and three transversal disciplines (TD) to develop the general theme outlined above:

RA1 - Clinker engineering
Optimization or development of new clinkerization processes and products

RA2 - Hydration engineering
Multi scale study of the structure and properties of the cement matrix

RA3 - Nanoadditions
Synthesis of novel additions, admixtures and additives for cement composites
