Objective This proposal aims to develop new intelligent cementitious nanocomposites for multifunctional built infrastructure made by combining ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with cheap bio-nanomaterials synthesised from root vegetable waste such as carrot and beetroot waste streams produced by the food processing industry. These innovative cementitious composites are not only superior to current cement products in terms of mechanical and microstructure properties, but also use smaller dosages of cement thereby significantly reducing both the energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with the cement manufacturing. Further, as a result of these bio nanomaterials, the resulting cementitious composites exhibit an astonishing piezoelectric effect enabling concrete structures to perform multiple functions such as: 1) self-monitoring mechanism to sense, feel and diagnose impending catastrophic structural failures and 2) green energy production by converting mechanical energy (i.e. vibration and impact induced by transport systems, wind and water waves) into inexpensive and readily available electrical energy source. Capturing this waste energy source from the built infrastructure surfaces is of great importance as it can be used to power the built-in-self-monitoring systems, houses and conventional auxiliary systems such as lighting posts, traffic lights, advertising boards and electric vehicle charging stations. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysocial sciencessocial geographytransportelectric vehiclesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocompositesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growingroot crops Keywords Bionanomaterials smart cementitious energy harvesting self-sensing Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER Net EU contribution € 195 454,80 Address BAILRIGG LA1 4YW Lancaster United Kingdom See on map Region North West (England) Lancashire Lancaster and Wyre Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 195 454,80