NJACI Dinner Meeting (11/20/2014)

Date: on 11/20/14

The New Jersey Chapter ACI invited Nick DeCristofaro, Ph.D. , Chief Technology Officer of Solidia Technologies to the dinner meeting on 11/20/2014.

Nick spearheads both Solidia’s research and development program and the company’s intellectual property strategy. Nick has extensive experience managing materials science innovation in an industrial context.

Throughout his career, Nick has focused on the development and commercialization of advanced materials. He came to Solidia from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he directed the Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property. Prior to joining UMass, Nick held a variety of research and business management roles over a 28-year period, cumulatively, at AlliedSignal, Honeywell International, and Hitachi Metals in the US and abroad. He has 66 patents and 30 publications to his credit. Nick earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in metallurgy and a doctorate in materials science and engineering, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Click here to download NJACI Dinner Meeting Flyer

Topic : Alternative Cementitious Material and Sustainable Concrete


Abstract : Solidia Technologies has developed an alternative cemenitious material for concrete that cures by introducing carbon dioxide to the concrete, not water. This alternative cementitious material is produced using 30% less energy thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by an equal amount. Ultimate concrete compressive strengths are achieved in 24 hours or less. The FHWA is funding its development through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). Testing has been performed by several universities and private laboratories for both durability and strength. Some DOT’s have agreed to install test sections and Solidia has also received agreements from precast concrete producers to perform pilot test programs. Solidia is also performing testing on uncoated reinforcement (black rebar) to determine if the carbon dioxide that produces an iron carbonate layer on the rebar provides corrosion protection similar to that of epoxy coatings and galvanizing.

1) Learn how this particular alternative cementitious material is made & the environmentally friendly aspects of its production compared to typical cement; 2) Discover the chemical composition of this new technology & how it reacts to perform in a similar fashion to concrete at a very fast curing rate; 3) Durability & strength testing results performed at both universities & private testing laboratories; 4) Research regarding how the curing process can potentially provide corrosion protection for uncoated (black) reinforcement; 5) FHWA’s involvement in providing Solidia with a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA), DOT’s that have agreed to install test sections & precast fabricators performing pilot test programs.