A group of students at the University of Miami College of Engineering is exploring how algae could help transform the way concrete is made. Jasmine Rodriguez, Farzad Rezaeicherati and Sevil Ozsut are taking on that challenge by developing new concrete mixtures that use algae‑based materials to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance.
Working under the guidance of Ali Ghahremaninezhad, a professor of civil engineering who leads the Advanced Infrastructure Materials Research Lab, the students are studying how biochar made from algae can replace a portion of traditional cement in concrete. Their work focuses on finding practical ways to make concrete more sustainable while still meeting performance demands.
The algae used in the project is grown at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science Experimental Hatchery on Virginia Key, where marine scientist John Stieglitz cultivates native macroalgae. Once harvested, the algae is converted into biochar, a charcoal‑like material that can be blended into concrete.
The team is experimenting with how the biochar is treated before it is added to cement, allowing them to replace higher amounts of cement while improving how the material performs inside the concrete. In addition to reducing cement use, the students are also testing a process known as carbon curing, which exposes concrete to carbon dioxide as it hardens, allowing the gas to be absorbed and stored within the material.
“We hope this project can demonstrate that concrete can move beyond simply reducing emissions while maintaining its strength and the durability needed for real‑world infrastructure,” Ozsut said.
The motivation behind the research is rooted in the scale of the problem.
“This issue was important for our team to tackle because essentially 8 percent of global carbon emissions are from the cement industry,” Rodriguez said. “By replacing the large amounts of cement that we use globally, we’re able to overall reduce those emissions.”
The project also addresses challenges closer to home.
“With this strategy, we are trying to not only address global carbon impact of cementitious composites, but also address Florida's environmental challenges,” Rezaeicherati said, pointing to the need for building materials that can perform in the state’s demanding climate.
The students recently presented their work at the Climate Correction Conference in Orlando, where they shared how algae grown in South Florida could become a viable ingredient in more sustainable construction materials.
The project was recognized with the 2026 VoLo Foundation VISTA Award. The $25,000 grant will support continued research and upgrades to lab equipment.
They hope the project encourages other researchers to look in their own backyard for solutions.
“Look at the problems happening in your community and look across disciplines and think creatively,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of the solutions that we’ve derived came from things that are right around us.”
