Dr Shiva Shirani wins Innovandi NanoCem Prize for research using 4D nano-technology to help improve low-carbon cement

A post doctorate researcher from Spain, whose research could help understand how to reduce the time it takes for low carbon concrete to harden, has been honoured with an international prize.

For her PhD, Dr Shiva Shirani, from the University of Malaga, focused on studying advanced X-ray images (4D nano-imaging) of cement particles.

Today, she was named as winner of the Innovandi NanoCem Prize 2024, which recognises research focused on helping the global cement and concrete industry achieve net zero.

The Innovandi NanoCem Prize was established to recognise outstanding academic research around the world and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) was offering five thousand US dollars US$ 5,000 to the overall winner.

Innovation, including work on new low carbon materials and manufacturing processes, is a key part of the GCCA and its members’ drive to reduce and ultimately eliminate emissions, in line with their 2050 Net Zero Concrete Roadmap.

Claude Loréa, Cement, Innovation and ESG Director at the GCCA said:

“Cement and concrete are essential building materials, used right across the world in our homes, offices, transport networks and energy infrastructure.

“Innovation and research are key to helping our global industry to unlock and expedite our pathway to a net zero future, so we were delighted to receive so many notable entries from all corners of the world. Shiva Shirani’s entry stood out as exceptional above the others. Many congratulations to Shiva and to everyone who applied.”

Entries had been assessed by judges from the Global Cement and Concrete Research Network, which brings leading universities and industry together, in the pursuit of net zero. Applications were judged against several criteria, including the relevance of the research, its scientific quality, novelty and presentation skills.

Winner Dr Shiva Shirani, said it was an incredible honour to win the prize:
“I study how cement particles evolve over time in 4D, providing insights that help accelerate the hydration process of low-carbon cement. This research is crucial to making low-carbon cement competitive, and thanks to GCCA, I can share it with the world to promote sustainable construction.”

Three other shortlisted entrants also received honourable mentions and a certificate commending their research: They were Xin Liu from Southeast University in China, Keshav Bharadwaj Ravi from Oregon State University in the US and Zhanar Zhakiyeva from the University of Grenoble-Alps, in France.

The next NanoCem Prize competition will open in early 2026, for those presenting their research in 2024 and 2025.