04/07/2025

This week, several members of the CONTRABASS consortium participated in the “Shaping the Fate of Low-Carbon Cement Science” conference at the stunning #Fondazione Monte Verità in Ascona, Switzerland. What a week full of science, collaboration, and breathtaking views! 🌄🔬 

🎤 Talks by our team: 
🔹 @AlexanderPisch – Current trends in clinker-related research 
🔹 @ThomasMatschei – Hydration of blended cements with calcined clays: knowns, unknowns & challenges 
🔹 @HegoiManzano – Atomic-scale models of cement materials: a critical review & future outlook 
🔹 @AslamKunhiMohamed – Shaping the structure of calcium silicate hydrates 
🔹 @ElsaQoku – Mechanochemical activation & hydraulic activity of CaO-SiO₂ via thermal mechanical grinding 

🧑‍🔬 DC Presentations: 
🔸 @Aden – Atomic-scale investigation of CaCO₃ prenucleation clusters 
🔸 @Amal – Molecular insights into hydration of clinker phases 
🔸 @Batoul – DFT study of CaCO₃ polymorphs using SCAN functional 

Beyond the inspiring science, the team also enjoyed the incredible scenery of Monte Verità and its peaceful surroundings. 🌿✨ 

Let’s see where the next conference takes us! 🚀