I became interested in brick masonry and production while writing an article for the last issue of wear journal, finding out tips of the iceberg of what a mess coal-fired bricks (the standard in China) pose to the environment. Though they are the world’s output leader in this industry, Chinese brick factories are also characterised as one of the least modern industrial sectors in China. Small, village-run production units employing outdated technologies are spread widely throughout the country, and more than 90% of bricks are fired in annular kilns with coal as the predominant fuel, resulting in substantial SO², CO² and other air emissions.

Below is a small (lego-sized) but potentially revolutionary process composed of sand, common bacteria, calcium chloride, and urea (yes, the stuff in your pee)” that could “reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by at least 800 million tons a year.” Read more about these home-grown blocks here.