An excellent article Moosey.
The paper it talks about is yet another of the proofs that abound of MWCNT abilities in concrete. It also ties in nicely with the problems EC has. I hear and agree with what you are saying about marketing Donnybrook. But there is also the issue of solid technical data for engineers to refer to and follow. EC is a revolutionary development. We may think the testing and trialling is endless but in reality the cost of EC pales next to the expense of the comprehensive data needed for an engineer to stamp off on it's use.
That this paper is all about a new testing method that does away with having to destroy a heap of beams for each mix being tested shows this is an industry problem that is compounded by the newness of EC.
From the paper;
"Fracture toughness of one- and two-dimensional nanoreinforced cement via scratch testing."
"A significant way to decrease the carbon footprint of cement is to develop cements with improved fracture resistance to reduce the volume needed to design buildings and structures. In recent years, carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted much attention as a potential reinforcement for cement due to their extraordinary properties. "
"However, when it comes to mechanical performance, the primary criterion has been strength. The issue is that a strength-focused performance criterion cannot account for defects, which are pervasive at the structural level, nor can it account for fracture, which plays an important role in the failure. Thus, more studies are needed to yield advanced synthesis protocols for the synthesis of Portland cement carbon-based nanocomposites, and understand the influence of carbon-based nanomaterials on the fracture response of Portland cement."
Of particular interest is this comparison image;
Notice how the MWCNT don't just provide nano-reinforcing but significantly increase the C-S-H nucleation points compared to the Graphene nanoplatelets.
For those that are interested, another excellent recent paper is;
"The Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on the Flowability, Mechanical, Microstructural and Durability Properties of Cementitious Composite: An Overview"
It points out the dispersion problems with CNT which have lead to such differing results in the past and reiterates the growing evidence of the increased nucleation points of the other paper, which accounts for EC's decreased permeability and durability etc.
It also points out how far others have to go before catching up with EC in that workability is a major positive factor with EC yet others seem to be having a problem with too thick a paste. Those years spent working with a Uni on a lab project to develop the dispersion method then buying the IP were certainly worth the effort.
(20min delay)