UK, October 26, 2023 - A collaborative team in the UK is pioneering self-healing asphalt roads using biomass waste and artificial intelligence (AI), potentially revolutionizing road maintenance and sustainability. The innovation addresses the UK's costly pothole problem, estimated at £143.5 million annually.
Scientists from Swansea University and King's College London, partnering with researchers in Chile, are designing asphalt that can autonomously mend cracks, eliminating the need for manual repairs. The team is reversing cracking by developing methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, resulting in more durable and sustainable roads.
Machine learning, a form of AI, is being used to study organic molecules in bitumen, the asphalt's binding agent. This data-driven model accelerates simulations of bitumen oxidation and crack formation. Collaboration with Google Cloud enables the team to simulate bitumen behavior on a computer.
The self-healing mechanism involves incorporating tiny, porous spores filled with recycled oils. When cracks appear, these spores release the oils, reversing the cracking process. Laboratory tests demonstrated complete healing of microcracks in under an hour.
Dr. Jose Norambuena-Contreras of Swansea University emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the study, combining expertise in civil engineering, chemistry, and computer science with AI tools. He stated, "We are proud to be advancing the development of self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and artificial intelligence...contributing to the development of net-zero roads with enhanced durability."
The use of biomass waste in the asphalt reduces dependence on petroleum and natural resources. Dr. Francisco Martin-Martinez of King's College London noted, "Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes...We are also using sustainable materials in our new asphalt, including biomass waste."
This research aligns with the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as asphalt production contributes significantly to carbon emissions from roads. The team's ongoing research includes creating capsules from biopolymers derived from brown algae and recycled cooking oils, as well as developing rejuvenators through the thermal conversion of end-of-life tires.