Agar Scientific present Micrograph Prize at Leeds Conference on Cement & Concrete Science

Continuing its support of science activities in academia during 2009, the Agar Scientific Prize was recently presented at the 2009 Cement & Concrete Science Conference, which was organised by Dr Leon Black from the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds.

The winner, Ms Rachel Taylor of the School of Civil Engineering, is a PhD student studying with Professor Ian Richardson with whom she is using mainly quantitative EM and solid state silicon & aluminium NMR for the characterisation of cement systems. The winning entry was a micrograph of water activated 50% White Portland cement and 50% fly ash blend taken on a Philips CM20 TEM at 20,000x magnification. The sample was prepared on the Fischione Instruments Model 1010 Argon Ion beam miller.

Ms Taylor’s overall project is entitled the Characterisation of C-S-H in early and late age systems containing additives. With an increase in the usage on grout containing superplasticizers, and a lack of knowledge of aged systems containing them, a better understanding of the behaviour of polycarboxylate superplasticizers in grouts is needed. By assessing the affects the superplasticizers have on the microstructure and nanostructure of cement systems containing both ground granulated blast furnace slag and pulverised fuel ash, a greater understanding should result.

Commenting on the standard of the competition, Agar’s Technical Support Specialist, Dr Heather Dyson, said we are very pleased to offer our support to young microscopists, the standard of entries was extremely good and keeps improving year on year.