Laura González Panicello is a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven, working under the supervision of Dr. Ruben Snellings. She obtained her PhD in Applied Chemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, graduating cum laude in 2023. Her background combines applied chemistry, nanoscience, and molecular nanotechnology, with research interests linked to advanced construction materials and sustainable technologies.
What kind of research are you currently working on?
My research focuses on developing more sustainable cement materials with a lower environmental impact. In particular, I work on low-clinker cements, which can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions compared to conventional cement production.
One of the main challenges is that the clinker replacement leads to low reactivity, decreasing its mechanical properties. My work looks at how chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials, SCMs, can improve both the reactivity and performance of these low-clinker systems, keeping a lower carbon footprint.
Part of my current research focuses on recovering and activating excavation fines from tunnelling activities for use in sustainable concrete. These materials can potentially be reused as supplementary cementitious materials in low-carbon cement formulations instead of being treated as waste. At the moment, we are studying different ways to activate residual clays and evaluate whether they can be used in innovative low-clinker cements with lower environmental impact.
Why is developing alternative cements becoming so important today?
The production of cement contributes substantially to global industrial CO₂ emissions, largely driven by clinker manufacturing, its main compound. Reducing clinker content by SCMs is therefore an innovative strategy for decarbonising the construction sector.
The challenge of this strategic way is that the SCMs show slow and low reactivity, decreasing the mechanical properties of blended cement at early ages. Due to that, it is necessary to apply chemical admixtures or activate the reactivity of SCMs. At the same time, the construction industry still needs materials that are durable, workable, and suitable for large-scale applications.
That is why it is important to better understand how these complex cement systems behave and how we can improve their performance while still reducing environmental impact.
How do you actually study these materials in practice?
I usually work with a multidisciplinary approach to better understand how these materials behave at a scientific level. A large part of my research involves advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques, which help us study how clinker and supplementary cementitious materials react at molecular level inside cement blends.
This allows us to identify admixtures that can accelerate or improve these reactions. I have also worked on topics such as carbonation of low-clinker cements and, more recently, on clay calcination for sustainable cement applications.
During my PhD, I was involved in projects supported by Nanocem, a European research network that connects universities, research centres, and the cement industry to develop more sustainable cement and concrete technologies. I also collaborated in the Innovandi Core Project 3, which investigates the rheology and behaviour of low-carbon cement blends over time. I am currently involved in the bETon project, which focused on the activation of excavation fines from the Einstein Telescope to develop new alternative cement systems.
What do you enjoy most about working in this research area?
Definitely the continuous learning process that comes with research! Things do not always work immediately, and sometimes unexpected results actually teach you the most.
I also really enjoy the combination of scientific challenges and collaboration with other researchers. It is rewarding to see how small discoveries can slowly contribute to larger progress towards more sustainable construction materials.
