Japan's New Edible Cement
2022-06-05
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1University of Tokyo researchers in Japan have created a new technology that uses food waste in a surprising way.
2Student Kota Machida and Professor Yuya Sakai say the operation can turn food waste into a strong but bendable material like cement.
3They say it is four times stronger than regular concrete, and is sustainable.
4And, you can eat it, the researchers found.
5Professor Sakai was looking for a way to replace cement-based concrete with sustainable materials.
6Cement production releases high levels of carbon dioxide waste into the air, says research group Chatham House.
7Food waste is a big problem in Japan and the world.
8In 2019, Japan produced 5.7 million tons of food waste.
9The government is working on reducing this to 2.7 million by 2030.
10The food waste that would typically end up in landfills, rotting, and releasing methane gas, can now be used to make the concrete.
11The material can be reused and buried in the ground if not needed without affecting the environment.
12Sakai and Machida say they hope the new material can replace plastic and cement, and slow global warming linked to food waste, as well.
13At first Sakai used wood particles with heat and pressure to create the concrete, and then he moved onto food waste with plastics mixed in.
14Through a process of drying, crushing, and compressing the food waste, Sakai and his student Machida had successfully made cement from food waste without plastic.
15They adjusted the pressure and the temperature with simple equipment that can be bought from the internet.
16"The most challenging part was that each type of food waste requires different temperatures and pressure levels," Sakai said.
17The team have used different types of food waste to make the cement, including tea leaves, orange peels, coffee grounds, and leftover lunch materials.
18Since the cement can be eaten, Sakai and Machida have changed the flavors with different spices.
19They have enjoyed the different colors, smell, and even the taste of the cement.
20Sakai said that in order to eat it a person needs to break it apart and boil it.
21Machida, along with two friends have created a company called Fabula, Inc.
22They are working with other companies to use the material to make products for the home.
23Sakai said that the process of creating the cement could be used to make temporary housing that can be eaten if a disaster happens.
24He said, "For example, if food cannot be delivered to evacuees, they could eat makeshift beds made out of food cement."
25I'm Faith Pirlo.
1University of Tokyo researchers in Japan have created a new technology that uses food waste in a surprising way. 2Student Kota Machida and Professor Yuya Sakai say the operation can turn food waste into a strong but bendable material like cement. They say it is four times stronger than regular concrete, and is sustainable. 3And, you can eat it, the researchers found. 4Professor Sakai was looking for a way to replace cement-based concrete with sustainable materials. Cement production releases high levels of carbon dioxide waste into the air, says research group Chatham House. 5Food waste is a big problem in Japan and the world. In 2019, Japan produced 5.7 million tons of food waste. The government is working on reducing this to 2.7 million by 2030. 6The food waste that would typically end up in landfills, rotting, and releasing methane gas, can now be used to make the concrete. The material can be reused and buried in the ground if not needed without affecting the environment. 7Sakai and Machida say they hope the new material can replace plastic and cement, and slow global warming linked to food waste, as well. 8Creating food waste cement 9At first Sakai used wood particles with heat and pressure to create the concrete, and then he moved onto food waste with plastics mixed in. Through a process of drying, crushing, and compressing the food waste, Sakai and his student Machida had successfully made cement from food waste without plastic. They adjusted the pressure and the temperature with simple equipment that can be bought from the internet. 10"The most challenging part was that each type of food waste requires different temperatures and pressure levels," Sakai said. 11The team have used different types of food waste to make the cement, including tea leaves, orange peels, coffee grounds, and leftover lunch materials. 12Since the cement can be eaten, Sakai and Machida have changed the flavors with different spices. They have enjoyed the different colors, smell, and even the taste of the cement. Sakai said that in order to eat it a person needs to break it apart and boil it. 13Machida, along with two friends have created a company called Fabula, Inc. They are working with other companies to use the material to make products for the home. 14Sakai said that the process of creating the cement could be used to make temporary housing that can be eaten if a disaster happens. He said, "For example, if food cannot be delivered to evacuees, they could eat makeshift beds made out of food cement." 15I'm Faith Pirlo. 16Chisato Tanka reported this story for the Associated Press. Faith Pirlo adapted it for VOA Learning English. 17__________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19cement - n. a soft gray powder that is mixed with water and other substances to make concrete 20construction - n. the process of building something 21concrete - n. a hard, strong material that is used for building and made by mixing cement, sand, and broken rocks with water 22sustainable - adj. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources 23emission - n. the act of releasing something 24methane - n. a gas that has no color or smell that is used for cooking and heating 25particles - n. a very small piece of something 26challenging - adj. difficult in a way that is sometimes interesting or enjoyable 27deliver -v. to provide 28evacuees - n. people who are removed from a dangerous place 29makeshift - adj. temporary or basic