Скачать или смотреть Concrete Technology Prevents Ice Without Salt

🛤️ Smart Concrete Uses Chemistry to Fight Winter 🌨️

Find the full article on Earth.com: https://www.earth.com/news/the-rise-o...

Engineers at Drexel University have developed a self-heating concrete technology that could transform winter infrastructure maintenance. By embedding phase-change materials into concrete, specifically low-temperature liquid paraffin, the research team created surfaces that maintain warmth autonomously, preventing ice formation and melting light snow without manual intervention or chemical deicers.

The technology works through a simple yet elegant process: as paraffin transitions from liquid to solid, it releases heat that keeps concrete surfaces between 42 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 hours in freezing conditions. Two test slabs on Drexel's campus have successfully demonstrated this capability over three years, enduring 32 freeze-thaw cycles and multiple heavy snowfalls. Dr. Amir Farnam and his team at Drexel's College of Engineering tested two methods of incorporating the phase-change material, both proving effective at preventing the structural damage typically caused by expansion and contraction during winter weather.

Key Takeaways:

🏗️ Self-heating concrete uses phase-change materials to maintain surface warmth autonomously 🌡️
❄️ Surfaces stay between 42-55°F for up to 10 hours in freezing conditions ⏰
🧪 Two methods tested: pre-treated aggregate and micro-capsules of paraffin 🔬
🌨️ Technology proven effective through 32 freeze-thaw events over three years 📊
♻️ Reduces environmental impact by eliminating need for road salt 🌍
💰 Could save billions in annual winter maintenance costs 💵
🛣️ Extends pavement lifespan by preventing freeze-thaw damage 🏗️
🔥 Most effective for snowfalls under two inches 📏

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