The end of potholes? UK scientists invent 'self-healing concrete'

Researchers at three British universities are developing a special concrete that uses bacteria to plug cracks and crevices



They are the hated curse of Britain’s roads that cost long-suffering drivers millions of pounds in repairs every winter.
But potholes could soon become a relic of the past due to futuristic plans to produce self-healing concrete.
Scientists are experimenting with the groundbreaking new material, which uses special bacteria to plug gaps and cracks opened up by bad weather.
If successful, it could be used to ensure smoother journeys for drivers across the country.
Researchers at the University of Bath, Cardiff University and the University of Cambridge created the concrete blend, which is full of bacteria hidden in tiny capsules.
As soon as water seeps into a crack, the bacteria quickly burst out their cases and produce limestone, sealing the gap up before it can widen and become a pothole.
The scientists believe the technique could vastly increase the life of concrete, remove the need for repairs, and reduce costs by up to 50%.
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would be lower because there would be no need to constantly replace roads. More than 7% of the world’s CO2 emissions are due to cement production.
Roads would also become much safer for motorists and cyclists, the researchers believe. At least 40,000 drivers claimed compensation from councils for damage caused by potholes last year, and deep cracks in roads caused countless injuries and a number of deaths.
Self-healing concrete could also be used to make increase the life of concrete buildings, and make them safer and stronger.
The groundbreaking material is one of more than a dozen schemes outlined in a report on the future of highways by engineering company Arup.
Other innovations include replacing conventional road surfaces with solar panels that could charge electric vehicles and melt snow.
The report also says giant snowflake-shaped warnings could be painted in temperature-sensitive paint to warn drivers about a drop in temperature or icy conditions.
Self-driven vehicles in the future could travel in vast convoys behind huge lorries driven by humans, in a bid to cut the crash death rate.
And plans are also underfoot to harness energy from pedestrians walking over pressure pads in town centres.
The report predicts that patterns of ownership will change in coming years, with commuters more likely to buy access to a vehicle rather than the vehicle itself.
Arup's global highways business leader Tony Marshall said: "While temperature-sensitive paint and solar surfaces may seem far-fetched, the innovations envisioned in this report are already being tested and piloted around the world.
"They will change the way that we approach mobility and freight transport and will provide safer, more reliable and more environmentally friendly highway infrastructure for generations to come."

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