Name: A "self-healing" asphalt
Uploaded: 2013-02-12T15:56:58Z
Duration: 6 min 33 s
Description: Paved roads are nice to look at, but they're easily damaged and costly to repair. Erik Schlangen demos a new type of porous asphalt made of simple materials with an astonishing feature: When cracked, it can be "healed" by induction heating.

Paved roads are nice to look at, but they're easily damaged and costly to repair. Erik Schlangen demos a new type of porous asphalt made of simple materials with an astonishing feature: When cracked, it can be "healed" by induction heating. 

A "self-healing" asphalt

Porous asphalt makes roads quieter and safer, but it is prone to damage like raveling and potholes. By mixing tiny pieces of steel wool into the asphalt, engineers can use induction heating to melt the binder and repair micro-cracks, restoring the road’s surface. This method was tested on a 400-meter stretch of Dutch highway and doubled the surface lifespan. The approach promises to save significant money and reduce roadwork disruptions.

Cracked Roads Heal Themselves With Simple Steel And Heat

How exactly does asphalt repair itself?

TEDx

demo

engineering

invention

science

technology

urban planning

infrastructure

design

industrial design

innovation

TEDx Talk

Erik Schlangen: A "self-healing" asphalt