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| Potholes: Self-healing roads aim to offer solution to crater crisis | |
| (6 days later) | |
| Self-healing asphalt roads could soon offer a solution to the UK's pothole crisis, researchers say | Self-healing asphalt roads could soon offer a solution to the UK's pothole crisis, researchers say |
| Self-healing asphalt roads could soon offer a solution to the UK's pothole crisis, according to new research. | Self-healing asphalt roads could soon offer a solution to the UK's pothole crisis, according to new research. |
| Designed with artificial intelligence from Google Cloud, a new type of asphalt made from biomass waste can mend its own cracks without the need for maintenance or human intervention. | Designed with artificial intelligence from Google Cloud, a new type of asphalt made from biomass waste can mend its own cracks without the need for maintenance or human intervention. |
| Scientists at Swansea University, King's College London and from Chile have found methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, hoping to create more durable and sustainable roads. | Scientists at Swansea University, King's College London and from Chile have found methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, hoping to create more durable and sustainable roads. |
| Also known as bitumen, asphalt is a sticky black substance derived from crude oil, widely used to construct roads, highways and airport runways. | Also known as bitumen, asphalt is a sticky black substance derived from crude oil, widely used to construct roads, highways and airport runways. |
| As it hardens through oxidisation it becomes prone to cracks, but researchers have developed methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, creating more durable roads. | As it hardens through oxidisation it becomes prone to cracks, but researchers have developed methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, creating more durable roads. |
| Lead researcher and expert in self-healing asphalt at Swansea University, Dr Joe Norambuena-Contreras, said the approach would help the develop net-zero roads as road carbon emissions can largely be linked to asphalt production. | Lead researcher and expert in self-healing asphalt at Swansea University, Dr Joe Norambuena-Contreras, said the approach would help the develop net-zero roads as road carbon emissions can largely be linked to asphalt production. |
| He has called upon both the UK Government and private sector to invest in the initiative to meet net-zero targets. | He has called upon both the UK Government and private sector to invest in the initiative to meet net-zero targets. |
| Dr Jose Norambuena-Contreras says the substance would also help develop net zero roads | Dr Jose Norambuena-Contreras says the substance would also help develop net zero roads |
| Dr Francisco Martin-Martinez of King's College London, said the research aims to mimic the healing properties observed in nature. | Dr Francisco Martin-Martinez of King's College London, said the research aims to mimic the healing properties observed in nature. |
| "Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes," he said. | "Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes," he said. |
| He added the study will also use sustainable materials in the new asphalt, including biomass waste, reducing the dependence on natural resources. | He added the study will also use sustainable materials in the new asphalt, including biomass waste, reducing the dependence on natural resources. |
| While still in development, the research team said there is potential to improve infrastructure and advance sustainability globally. | While still in development, the research team said there is potential to improve infrastructure and advance sustainability globally. |
| Asphalt is widely used to construct roads, highways and airport runways | Asphalt is widely used to construct roads, highways and airport runways |
| Local road conditions in England and Wales were at an all-time low in 2024 due to "decades of underfunding", according to an annual survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. | Local road conditions in England and Wales were at an all-time low in 2024 due to "decades of underfunding", according to an annual survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. |
| It estimated it would cost more than £16bn to tackle the backlog of repairs. | It estimated it would cost more than £16bn to tackle the backlog of repairs. |
| Some communities in Wrexham county recently resorted to making their crater-filled village a tourist attraction, branding it "Pothole land". | Some communities in Wrexham county recently resorted to making their crater-filled village a tourist attraction, branding it "Pothole land". |
| Fed up residents say the conditions have become so bad, visitors and delivery drivers refuse to drive to their homes. | Fed up residents say the conditions have become so bad, visitors and delivery drivers refuse to drive to their homes. |