Real-time X-ray diffraction and microstructure imaging:
accelerating the transformation of cementitious materials into CO2 sinks

X-SeeO2

Horizon Europe project, call HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, which will accelerate the use of cements as carbon dioxide ‘sinks’, to reduce emissions, but maintaining the properties of concrete and without affecting the durability of the resulting infrastructure.

Project data

Duration: 2025/10/10 – 2029/09/30
Funding programme:
Horizon Europe – European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Challenges
Coordinator: University of Málaga – UMA.
Partners: University of Bath- UoB, University of Manchester- UoM, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility – ESRF.
Budget: €4.04 million
Grant agreement number: 101220926

The project aims to develop innovative technologies to support sustainable cement production by capturing and using CO₂ emissions.

Coordinated by the University of Malaga, the consortium unites leading institutions from Spain, the UK, and France under the Horizon Europe – EIC Pathfinder Challenges.

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48

Months

4

Partners

4

Countries

4.04 M

Funding

6

Projects

OUR FOCUS AND MISSION

Scientific rigor

Our work is grounded in validated methodologies and continuous result evaluation.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Bringing together experts from diverse fields to enhance the project’s impact.

Clear objectives

We define specific goals aimed at advancing knowledge and fostering innovation.

Real-world applications

Bringing together experts from diverse fields to enhance the project’s impact.

Objectives & Methodologies
Key features targeting success

X-SeeO₂ aims to accelerate innovations for the decarbonisation of cement and the smart carbonation of concretes.
The project combines advanced synchrotron-based and laboratory X-ray analysis with innovative workflows, outreach, and real-world validation.

Objective 1

Enabling Technology

Provide access to state-of-the-art X-ray analytical techniques [X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and microtomography (μCT)] and data analysis tools to advance understanding of cementitious materials.

Objective 2

Workflow Development

Design and validate synchrotron-compatible in-situ carbonation cells [XRPD & μCT] and standardised analytical workflows to ensure robust, comparable and reliable data.

Objective 3

Outreach & Training

Deliver training and dissemination activities to share methodologies and results across the Challenge project portfolio.

Objective 4

Case Study 1

Investigate mechanochemical activation (MCA) of industrial wastes under CO₂ conditions to develop new supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

Objective 5

Case Study 2

Develop and test autoclave CO₂-cured binders and innovative SCMs under varied experimental conditions to optimise performance and sustainability.

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CONSORTIUM

The X-SeeO₂ consortium is formed by three leading universities in cementitious materials, carbonation and advanced X-ray imaging [i.e. University of Malaga (UMA), University of Bath (UoB) and University of Manchester (UoM)] and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF).

University of Málaga

Cement Science Group

Expertise in cement reactivity and  analysis.
Advanced XRPD + µ-CT methods for accurate analytical characterization and CO₂-curing studies.

Find out more SCG UMA

University of Bath

Experts in cement chemistry and characterisation, the University of Bath team develops and models advanced cementitious materials, with a focus on carbonation in Portland and non-Portland systems.

UoB

University of Manchester

Henry Rocye Institute

UoM provides world-leading expertise and facilities in advanced X-ray imaging, applying Correl-CT algorithms for time-lapse CT reconstruction. It leads national initiatives (NXCT, EPSRC–ESRF link) that supply imaging access and expertise.

Find out more HRI UoM

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

ESRF provides intense synchrotron X-ray beams, develop cells, and offer beam time for ex-situ and in-situ studies on new cementitious materials and CO₂ mineralization.

ESRF

Discover our projects

The knowledge that X-SeeO₂ will generate will be fundamental for the proposals of our challenge and for the advancement of the science and engineering of construction materials. The highest priority is research aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting the circular economy by recovering waste.

CILANTRO

Coordinator: CSIC-IEdT-Madrid.

Duration: 4 years

CARBON-NEGATIVE CEMENT: A TRIBOLOGICAL SOLUTION FOR LIMESTONE DECARBONATION, SILICATION AND CARBON UTILIZATION

CILANTRO website cordis

ECO-SLAG-CEM

Coordinator: Ecocem Materials Ld.

Duration: 4 years

ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE OPTIMIZATION OF EAF SLAG FOR LOW-CARBON ADVANCED GREEN CEMENT

ECO-SLAG-CEM website cordis

MOJITO

Coordinator: U. Bologna.

Duration: 3 years

DECARBONIZED LIME PRODUCTION THROUGH ENHANCED JOINT DIELECTRIC HEATING AND WASTE CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL ADDITION

MOJITO website cordis

CONCERTO

Coordinator: CNRS-Paris.

Duration: 4 years

CARBON NEGATIVE CEMENT FROM ULTRA-MAFIC ROCKS.

CONCERTO website cordis

X-SeeO2

Coordinator: University of Málaga – UMA.

Duration: 4 years

REAL-TIME X-RAY DIFFRACTION AND MICROSTRUCTURE IMAGING: ACCELERATING THE TRANSFORMATION OF CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS INTO CO2 SINKS.

X-SeeO2 website cordis

Coordinator:

Duration:

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