Engineering
Self-Healing Concrete with Bacterial Spores: Extending Bridge Deck Lifespan
Quick fact
When cracks appear in bacterial self-healing concrete, embedded spores germinate and the bacteria produce limestone-like calcium carbonate, sealing the crack and preventing water and chloride from reaching the steel rebar, potentially extending bridge deck life by 20 to 40 years.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a bridge that heals its own cracks, like a scab over a wound. What if concrete could repair itself before water and salt sneak in to corrode the steel?