Brief
Discover how Drexel University’s innovative heat-releasing concrete promises to transform winter road safety, significantly reducing salt use and environmental impact.
Insight
Drexel University researchers are pioneering a breakthrough in winter road safety with the development of heat-releasing concrete. This new technology aims to address the challenges posed by heavy snowfall, particularly in the Philadelphia region, which frequently resorts to using large amounts of road salt and deicing chemicals. These traditional methods, while effective for preventing slips, have adverse effects on road structures and the environment.
Chlorine-based salts, for instance, can degrade concrete and exacerbate road damage through freezing and thawing cycles.
The innovative concrete developed by the Drexel team works by absorbing solar thermal energy and releasing heat to melt snow and ice. This method promises not only to reduce the reliance on harmful road salts but also to decrease the financial burden associated with road maintenance. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which uses over 800,000 tons of salt annually, could significantly benefit from this technology.
Professor Amir Farnam, leading the research, drew inspiration from thermal energy-storing architecture. He emphasizes the long-term financial and environmental advantages of this technology. Constructing roads with this concrete may initially be costly, but the reduction in road repairs, salt usage, and labor costs during winter justifies the investment. Moreover, this approach offers a more sustainable solution, as traditional road salts are known to harm waterways.
As the team concludes their research and moves towards a cost-benefit analysis and a full life-cycle assessment, the potential of this technology becomes increasingly evident. Not only does it promise more durable roads and lower maintenance costs, but it also aligns with environmental conservation efforts. Adapting the concrete mix for varying climates, like the longer cold periods in Canada, is part of the ongoing research, highlighting the team’s commitment to broad applicability and effectiveness of their solution.
Highlight
- Chlorine-based salts, for instance, can degrade concrete and exacerbate road damage through freezing and thawing cycles.
- The innovative concrete developed by the Drexel team works by absorbing solar thermal energy and releasing heat to melt snow and ice.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which uses over 800,000 tons of salt annually, could significantly benefit from this technology.
- Constructing roads with this concrete may initially be costly, but the reduction in road repairs, salt usage, and labor costs during winter justifies the investment.
READ MORE
Related Questions:
- Is there a concrete that melts snow?
- What are the two methods of how concrete can melt snow?
- Does snow melt faster on concrete or asphalt?
- What melts snow on contact?
Related Articles:
Recent Comments