Federal Grant Award Summary

William Marsh Rice University received a $669,852 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation's Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (Engineering program, CFDA 47.041) effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031. The award supports the development of physics-informed, artificial intelligence-driven prediction and optimization frameworks for concrete design. The project delivers a large-scale, open-access data infrastructure for blended cement concrete systems through automated literature mining and guided experimental work, mechanistic descriptors of binder reactivity and porosity integrating atomistic simulation and machine learning, and predictive models enabling accurate concrete property prediction and inverse design capabilities. These products enable faster, more reliable, and adaptable concrete design that supports the use of locally available supplementary materials derived from industrial byproducts while reducing reliance on standardized formulations.

The award also includes an integrated educational component delivering a novel design challenge that engages undergraduate and high school students in real-world engineering problems while developing workforce skills in data science and materials design. This research-education integration addresses current limitations in concrete production, which traditionally relies on empirical trial-and-error methods that result in suboptimal mixtures and increased costs. By advancing predictive design methodologies, the project enhances efficiency and flexibility in infrastructure development while supporting national priorities in workforce development and science and engineering participation.