Scientists at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, USA have announced the development of ‘the cheapest and most efficient method of ensuring concrete’s durability through self-healing concrete prototypes’, which will help the material fix itself while the cracks are still miniscule.
According to a report in New Atlas, a leading science and technology-based publication, scientists at the institute have developed self-healing concrete prototypes, so that the material can fix itself while the cracks are still miniscule.
It said that the team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute took inspiration from the human body, noting how an enzyme in the red blood cells – carbonic anhydrase (CA) – is able to quickly transport CO2 from cells to the bloodstream. Therefore, they sought to create a self-healing concrete prototype that mimicked that process, the report added.
“We looked to nature to find what triggers the fastest CO2 transfer, and that’s the CA enzyme,” said Nima Rahbar, who authored the study, as per New Atlas.
“Since enzymes in our bodies react amazingly quickly, they can be used as an efficient mechanism to repair and strengthen concrete structures.”
An essential building material, concrete is known to produce a huge amount of carbon. As the industry pivots towards sustainability and green building, scientists have been seeking ways to create longer-lasting versions to aid the planet.
While cracks that form in concrete might not pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of a building right away, water seeping into the cracks and the rupture spreading could eventually compromise the building’s strength, experts say.
During their research the researchers found that by adding the CA enzyme to concrete powder before the material was mixed and poured, it would react with the CO2 in the air to produce calcium carbonate crystals. This would then fill in tiny cracks whenever they appear in the concrete.
Following extensive tests, the scientists concluded that this new concrete mixture could repair its own mini cracks within a period of 24 hours.
The report points out that this is a significant improvement compared to previous technologies, where it can take upto a month to fix a crack. The researchers predicted that the self-healing technology would be able to extend the life of a structure by dozens of years.