A new technique inspired by the self-regeneration of trees wants to include biological base spores on the asphalt, allowing the roads to “self-cherish” from the holes.
A team of scientists from King’s College from London, from the University of Swansea and Chile researchers have developed an innovative technique for reversing the cracking of the bitumenpaving the way for self-regenerable roads that can dramatically reduce the damage caused by the holes.
Holes are a costly world problem, with US drivers to spend about $ 3 billion on vehicle repairs annually due to road damage. In the United Kingdom, only the cost of hole repair reaches about 143.5 million pounds per year.
Road cracks occur when bitumen, the sticky material of the asphalt, hardens over time when exposed to oxygen. Although the exact chemical mechanism behind this process is not fully understood, the research team used automatic learning techniques to analyze the complex molecular structure of bitumen and develop a potential solution.
Your approach involves Biological Base Spores – Tiny and highly resistant materials, smaller than a human hair – which contain “rejuvenates” based on recycled oil. When cracks arise, these spores release their content, reversing the hardening process and allowing the road to repair itself.
Francisco Martin-Martinez, a specialist in Computational Chemistry at King’s College of London, explained to what the inspiration for self-cure roads comes from nature.
“When a tree or animal is cut, its wounds naturally heal over time using its own biology. We want to imitate this process of healing asphalt, increasing the durability of the roads and reducing the need for frequent repairs, ”he said.
In addition to reducing hole repair costs, self-regenerative road technology can provide significant environmental benefits. Researchers are incorporating biomass waste into the new asphalt mixture, reducing dependence on petroleum derived materials.
“Biomass waste is available locally, are cheap and sustainable. Its use in infrastructure materials Reduces oil dependencewhich is particularly beneficial for regions with limited asphalt access, ”added Martin-Martinez.
Although still in the experimental phase, the research team’s laboratory tests showed that self-healing technology has successfully noticed a microfissura in the one-hour asphalt. This method could eliminate the need for long hole repair processes that frustrate drivers and communities.
