Taking inspiration from nature, scientists have tracked down a road surface material that repairs itself
Potholes. They’re the scourge of motorists and a potentially lethal hazard to cyclists, but a new ‘self-healing’ road surface could consign them to the dustbin of history.
An international team of scientists from King’s College London (KCL) and Swansea University teamed up with colleagues in Chile to develop an asphalt that mends its own cracks. It was unveiled in February.
The asphalt contains plant-based spores that are packed with recycled oils. When the road is compressed, the oils seep out, softening the bitumen to seal fractures.
The discovery is timely: the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) has just announced that almost 35,000 miles worth of roads in England and Wales will need re-surfacing over the next five years.
Factors behind the damage include rain and cold temperatures, heavy traffic and shoddy road construction. According to the AA, one in three drivers has experienced damage to their vehicles due to potholes. The average garage bill is £144, according to repair company Kwik Fit. And potholes aren’t only expensive for drivers: they pose a real danger to cyclists and motorcyclists.
As well as providing a salve for England and Wales’ £143-million pothole headache, the invention could pave the way for more sustainable road-building.
“We want to mimic the healing properties observed in nature,” said KCL’s Dr Franciso Martin-Martinez. “For example, when a tree or animal is cut, their wounds naturally heal over time, using their own biology.
“Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes.”
Main image: Dr Jose Norambuena-Contreras, of Swansea University, with some of the self-healing asphalt
Images: Swansea University and King’s College London
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