boring Cement research is boring and simple, that was the way I used to think in 2015,

but then, I met a mentor who changed my way of thinking and developed my passion for cement research
title Hi, I am Aldo Sosa
And today I would like to share with you some of the most important aspects that I have become aware
through my research,
which can make a difference in cement science and engineering
What else The mixture of cement powder and water forms a solid, strong material. cement is capable of setting and
hardening.
Whit cement it can be also obtained mortar and concrete by the addition of sand and concrete
But What else is cement?
It is:”
• the 2nd most used material in the world
• And one of the most complex inorganic materials
And here comes the painful truth, even though we use cement in many applications. we don’t fully
understand it, and this this is mainly because of 2 reasons
Chemistry The 1st reason is the chemical composition, cement has 4 main clinker phases
that in contact with water trigger
- different reactions that release heat and develop new products
Pore The 2nd reason is the constant pore solution and microstructural development during the hydration
process.
Let’s take as an example on of the clinker phases of cement, in contact with water there is a dissolution
process, which forms a rich silicate gel. In the dormant period, there is an increase in the release of ions,
until reach saturation level.
This is followed by the precipitation, nucleation and crystallization of hydrated products.
Finally, this continues with the densification of the microstructure.
Opportuni Please raise your hand if you have seen this phrase before?
ty knocks well I believe this phrase is wrong, I think there is an opportunity waiting for us to take it
Problems These opportunities emerge from different needs, such as
Understanding the complexity of cement
Creating new cementitious materials that will
Improve the physical properties of cement and
the manufacturing process which reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption
Another area of opportunity is the design, we need functional buildings that are able to collect water from
the rain and use the sun and the wind to reduce energy consumption and get better ventilation.
And finally, prevent corruption in the industry by improving regulations
research In order to tackle these opportunities, we do research by evaluating
- the chemical composition
- the hydration processes
- the microstructure and pore solution
- The effect of different admixtures on cement
- The physical and chemical properties
- We analyze all these by using
- Different analytical tools and techniques
- applying interdisciplinary knowledge
- and learning from the past
- However, this is not enough, we need to step back and focus on the basic aspect
strategy - And this is why “developing a strategy is essential” and for that we need to improve, and change 5
aspects
How we think and act, how we teach, the research approach, and envision the research
We need to understand that success is not an accident and I believe these 11 elements will helps us to
think achieve success
1. Leadership, we need to become a leader and raise the standards
2. Purpose, we need to find a purpose and give it direction,
3. Responsibility, take responsibility for your work and focus in your goals
4. Integrity, Work with integrity, do the right things always
5. Self-development, develop yourself, learn a new language, a new subject, anything that raise
your level of consciousness
6. mindset and perspective, If you get stuck or you don’t find the solution, try to change your
mindset and perspective
 7. Tenacity, avoid negative thoughts and routines and do not give up on your goals
8. Be patient, not everything works at the first time,
9. Courage to overcome the fear of success and failure
10. Confidence, believe in yourself and your work, so others can believe in you,
11. Finally, number 11 which I think is the most important, Discipline, Discipline is the key to
success, if you don’t have discipline you can forget about your goals and success
teach Teaching is important because it prepares and influences aspiring researchers
I would like you to Think about these 2 questions, are research and teaching the same? are professors
still necessary?
- Someone of you would say, well nowadays with the internet we can learn, collaborate and
communicate at any time and at any moment
- I agree, the internet is a useful tool, but it is not enough, we need professors.
- But today professors are hired based on their research background and not by their teaching skills.
- We need to understand that research and teaching are not the same
- We need professors who can deliver a strategic message and strategic narrative that inspire, attract and
challenge students
- The professor needs to be a life coach who can, guide, motivate, transmit passion, and model success
approach Most of the time different problems and even the same ones are tackled by different fields of science.
However, there is no communication between them. We need to promote communication and
participation between all the fields
- Also, we need to develop research projects where all the fields are involved.
And I understand that research is not easy,
- We are going to find challenges, obstacles, limitations and negative thoughts, however to overcome
these negative aspects,
- we need to be creative, have a good methodology, work with others, and believe that it is possible,
possible to solve the problem, that maybe I can find the solution

- it’s important to understand that sometimes your work is not going to be successful, but we are
growing a seed of knowledge that others can make more robust
Envision you also need to envision your research, in the case of cement application
What do we need to consider for building a house? The cost, the location maybe the design,
Well it is not that simple, because we need to consider all aspects together, we need to evaluate and
analyse:
What type of cement are going to use?
How would the location affect the setting and hardening of cement?
Are the physical and chemical properties suitable for the type of soil, weather conditions, and design?
How can the design take advantage of the natural elements?
Is there anything else to take into consideration in regard to the design and physical properties?
What is the visual, social and environmental impact?
Aesthetic And do not forget the aesthetic,
I would like you to imagine yourself in these 4 scenarios,
And think how would you feel?
if this were your bedroom,
If you had breakfast here everyday
If you had this view in your living room
And if you had to use these stairs everyday

Now, Let’s do the same exercise, in these scenarios

But this time, I would like you to consider some advantages in the design,
In the 1st one, you would be able to see the stars before falling asleep
In the 2nd, you would enjoy the natural light and nature while having breakfast
And in the last two you would experience the beauty and the comfort of a modern design

Now, think how would you feel?

go In conclusion
beyond Combining practical and theoretical knowledge, with a strategy based on the way we think, act, teach, work,
and envision
It is possible to develop successful research that will allow us to solve problems and
make a global impact (industry, social, environmental, academia, research
economic personal), and as a result we can transcend through cement research.