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· collected 2026-08-21 · by TOI World Desk
Dubai is surrounded by dunes and for a country that has ample desert sand, one would think they would utilise it as a resource.
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they → surround → resource
Wind makes desert grains unusually fine, smooth, and rounded, so they do not interlock as easily as the rougher aggregate commonly drawn from rivers.
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they → make → rivers
But research from the University of Sharjah transforms desert sand into eco-friendly bricks, according to a report by EurekAlert!
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research → transform → EurekAlert
The November 2025 research was published in the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering and released in February 2026 by the university.
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research → publish → university
In the study, researchers including Dr Mohamad Arab and Professor Maher Omar combined desert sand collected in the Sharjah region with alkali-activated binders.
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researchers → include → binders
This technology uses alkaline solutions to trigger chemical reactions capable of forming rigid structures, similar to a resistant mineral matrix.
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technology → use → matrix
The formulation also incorporates industrial by-products, such as blast furnace slag and industrial ashes.
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formulation → incorporate → slag
The use of slag and industrial ashes expands the environmental interest of the research.
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use → expand → research
These by-products, when reused in construction materials, can reduce waste and decrease the pressure for conventional raw materials.
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products → reuse → materials
Instead of relying solely on Portland cement, the proposal makes advantage of materials that can gain new value within the construction industry, reducing the need for inputs with a higher environmental impact.
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that → rely → impact
One of the central points of the research is that the bricks were cured at room temperature.
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bricks → cure → temperature
This means that the tested process does not require thermal curing or an oven, a step that could increase energy consumption and raise manufacturing costs.
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that → mean → costs
Resistance to sulfates
The bricks underwent durability tests, including water absorption, wetting and drying cycles, efflorescence and sulfate exposure.
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bricks → undergo → absorption
According to the researchers, the performance met the ASTM standards cited in the study, used as an international reference for material quality and safety.
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performance → accord → quality
“We also evaluated performance under aggressive chemical exposure and found that the alkali-activated desert sand bricks retained their integrity and, in key cases, outperformed cement-based bricks under sulfate attack.
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bricks → evaluate → attack
This matters in coastal and marine environments where sulfate-rich soils and groundwater can accelerate deterioration,” said Maher Omar, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Sharjah.
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Omar → matter → Sharjah
Sulfate resistance is important because this type of chemical attack can damage construction materials in coastal and marine areas, or with soils and groundwater rich in this compound.
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type → damage → compound
In the reported tests, the desert sand bricks maintained integrity and, in some cases, outperformed cement-based bricks.
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bricks → report → bricks
Another point observed by the researchers was the lower water absorption.
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point → observe → researchers
This indicator is relevant because excessive water ingress can compromise the durability of masonry materials over time, especially in aggressive environments.
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ingress → compromise → environments
According to the team, the eco-friendly bricks demonstrated superior mechanical performance to conventional cement-based bricks in some of the tests.
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bricks → accord → tests
This result reinforces the hypothesis that desert sand can cease to be seen only as a problematic material and become part of more resistant technical solutions.
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sand → reinforce → solutions
Portland cement has high emissions
Portland cement remains one of the most used materials in the world because it combines strength, durability, and wide availability.
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it → have → strength
The problem is that its production has a high climate impact.
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production → have → impact
According to the University of Sharjah’s statement, it is associated with up to 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
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it → accord → emissions
The authors note that construction is “a major contributor to worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change,” consuming approximately 40% of global energy.
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construction → note → energy
The research does not claim that the new brick will replace cement in all constructions.
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brick → claim → constructions
What the study indicates is an alternative route to reduce dependence on Portland cement in masonry units, especially in places where desert sand is abundant and reusable industrial materials are available.
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materials → indicate → places
The study shows feasibility in the laboratory, but real adoption depends on tests in larger units, pilot production, quality standardisation, and cost analysis.
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adoption → show → units
The researchers also plan to better quantify the environmental benefits and assess the manufacturing logistics.
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researchers → plan → logistics
Industrial production will be the decisive test to know if the desert sand brick can compete with alternatives already established in the construction market.
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brick → know → market
“The broader strategic goal is clear: developing building materials that are locally sourced, resilient in harsh environments, and aligned with sustainability objectives, without compromising performance,” said Omar.
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Omar → develop → performance
“We will also quantify the environmental benefits more clearly so we can identify the most practical and scalable pathway for industry adoption,” Prof. Omar maintained.
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Omar → quantify → adoption
