Controlling friction for sustainable concrete 

ECFP researchers have revealed how friction between microscopic cement grains can prevent the easy flow of fresh, unset concrete. Improving our understanding of these microscale processes will guide efforts to replace cement with more sustainable substitutes.

Towards a self-mixing salad dressing

There is a table of food and a bottle of raki with two glasses.

A collaboration between researchers from ECFP, the University of Edinburgh, Nottingham Trent University, and Loughborough University studying the behaviour of a popular alcoholic drink has led to new insights into the process of spontaneous emulsification. The work has implications for low-energy production of a whole range of emulsion products which currently must be mixed vigorously.