Making Potholes a Thing of the Past
Researchers at Binghamton University in New York have developed a concrete they believe will help combat cracked roads and potholes, according to IFLScience.com. Utilizing a fungus known as Trichoderma reesei, which will be integrated into the concrete during its mixing process, this low-cost and pollution-free solution “was originially inspired by the miraculous ability of the human body to heal itself of cuts, bruises and broken bones,” Binghamton University assistant professor Congrui Jin said in a statement.
The research, recently published in Construction & Building Materials, explains how the fungus lies dormant in the concrete mixture until water and air seep into the micro-cracks that are so common in concrete. Once the fungus mixes with the water and/or air, “the fungus will ‘bloom’ and fill in the crack,” Tom Hale writes. While additional research will need to be conducted before this product is ready for prime time, the team is confident that this primary research will inspire future positive results.
