A material that got its start in the Arizona desert is showing up in science journals with astounding reports that it could transform our buildings and infrastructure.

That's because Ferrock has proved to be a tougher and more planet-friendly material than concrete.

It's a story that started more than a decade ago at the University of Arizona when doctoral student David Stone won an innovation contest for his cement substitute made with waste steel dust. Stone was awarded a patent in 2013 for Ferrock, and he started Iron Shell to commercialize it, according to a university report.

"This all started from an accidental discovery in a lab, which is actually the way it usually goes," Stone said.