LOGAN – Concrete is one of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions. The production of cement creates eight percent of human-caused CO2 emissions.
Erika Espinosa Ortiz is a Utah State University environmental engineer whose research is transforming what we know about building materials. She has produced groundbreaking research into soil pollution and wastewater treatment.
Espinoza-Ortiz is a native of Mexico who has spent nearly 10 years working in laboratories around the world, including research at Montana State University and her current role as a USU assistant professor.
She said her work focuses on using bacteria and fungi to create alternative materials to traditional cement. One process known as biocementation uses a special type of bacteria called ureolytic bacteria, that produces an enzyme called urease. Urease breaks down the bacteria, resulting in the formation of calcium carbonate which is a key component of cement-like materials.