Dutch researchers have developed the so-called self-healing concrete which uses an inbuilt immune system to close its own wounds and prevent deterioration.

Dutch researchers have developed the so-called self-healing concrete which uses an inbuilt immune system to close its own wounds and prevent deterioration. No matter how well is the concrete prepared, cracks will always put it into jeopardy due to the fact that water is able to get at the steel reinforcement, causing rust and degradation.

The bio-concrete contains bacteria within microcapsules, which will germinate when water enters a crack in the concrete to produce limestone (calcite), plugging the crack before water and oxygen has a chance to corrode the steel reinforcement.

Researcher Henk Jonkers from TU Delft says “We need bacteria that will be able to survive the hostile environment of cement.” Cement is highly alkaline, but Bacillus can afford these conditions. Henk Jonkers has chosen calcium lactate, which is combined with carbonate ions and produces calcite.\

The r esearcher Henk Jonkers is monimated for this year's European Inventor Award.

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