The group recently developed an improved method to synthesize kilogram amounts of pure Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A in cement shorthand) in the lab.

Pure C3A is useful to study the early reactivity of Portland cement with water. In addition to the new synthesis method, the reactivity and rheology of different C3A modifications was characterized.

The paper can be found in the Journal "Cement": 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666549223000105