2024-04-30T07:40:43-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150269922/researchers-develop-a-feasible-solution-for-self-healing-concrete-in-the-construction-industry Katherine Guimapang 2021-06-21T19:23:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/99/997699eb9ad2e760b49d57e47705b736.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150143735/how-much-pollution-does-cement-really-produce-is-there-a-cleaner-solution" target="_blank">The cases against concrete and its environmental impacts are prevalent in the AEC community</a>. As a result, numerous attempts and research initiatives have been made to help mitigate the material's environmental impact. Research from firms like <a href="https://archinect.com/snohetta" target="_blank">Sn&oslash;hetta</a> and <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150265685/sn-hetta-and-saferock-are-developing-net-zero-concrete-from-waste-materials" target="_blank">their net-zero concrete</a> to companies like <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150173086/carboncure-sequesters-co2-to-reduce-emissions-and-increase-strength-of-concrete" target="_blank">CarbonCure</a> and CarbonBuilt (formerly <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150209093/ucla-researchers-receive-2-9m-grant-from-department-of-energy-to-transform-co2-into-concrete" target="_blank">CO2Concrete</a>) and their <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/1419898/carbon-sequestration" target="_blank">carbon-sequestering</a> cement products are a few examples of concrete change &mdash; no pun intended.&nbsp;</p> <p>Recently, researchers from <a href="https://archinect.com/schools/cover/74742913/worcester-polytechnic-institute-wpi" target="_blank">Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)</a>, lead by associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Nima Rahbar, have developed a new method for producing concrete with "self-healing" capabilities to strengthen the durability of concrete structures.</p> <p>The research paper, titled "An Enzymatic Self-Healing Cementitious Material," was <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352940721001001" target="_blank">published</a> in <em>Applied Materials Today</em>, a peer-reviewed journal focused on cutting-edge applications of novel materials. Co-authors were Suzanne Scarlata, professor of Chemistry &amp; Bi...</p>